Feminine hygiene
Personal care practices and products associated with menstruation and the external genital area, often marketed using this euphemistic term.
Menstruation: The periodic shedding of the uterine lining, usually accompanied by bleeding through the vagina. Menstrual care products are a major part of what this marketing term covers.
Menstrual pad: An absorbent material worn externally to collect menstrual blood. Disposable and reusable pads are widely marketed for menstrual hygiene.
Intimate hygiene: A commercial and everyday term for care products and practices involving the external genital area. This overlapping phrase often presents the same products with less explicitly gendered wording.
Bacterial vaginosis: A vaginal condition caused by a shift in the normal microbial community, often producing discharge or odor. Vaginal douching is associated with increased risk of this common condition.
Vulva: The external structures of the female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening. Products described as intimate or feminine hygiene products are often intended for external vulvar use.
Tampon: An absorbent device inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Tampons manage menstrual flow internally without cleansing the vagina.
Menstrual equity: The fair access to menstrual products, facilities, education, and support without stigma or discrimination. It shifts attention from consumer cleanliness toward access, dignity, and structural barriers.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A fungal infection causing vulvar itching and irritation, commonly associated with Candida species. Symptoms may be mistaken for a need for cleansing products rather than a condition requiring diagnosis.
Vaginal microbiota: The community of microorganisms living in the vagina, commonly dominated by Lactobacillus species. Claims about cleansing often overlook the protective microbial community of the vagina.
Menstrual cup: A reusable cup inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Menstrual cups offer a reusable alternative to disposable absorbent products.