• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2018

Objectives: Preservatives, suspected to be endocrine disrupting chemicals, are widely used in feminine hygiene products for the prevention of deterioration. Information regarding the usage patterns of feminine hygiene products and the concentrations of preservatives in these products is limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the use of feminine cleansers among Korean women and quantify the concentration of preservatives in feminine cleansers. Methods: Approximately 500 women were recruited from the city of Busan in August 2017 and a questionnaire survey was conducted on the use of feminine cleansers. Several major feminine hygiene products (n=69) were identified and selected for analysis of 22 preservatives. Following appropriate preparation, the products were analyzed by HPLC/DAD. Results: Over 70% of the participating women used at least one feminine cleanser. Marital status and parity were associated with the frequency of use. Liquid was most frequently used form of feminine cleanser (66.6%). The greatest proportion of subjects answered that they use it 'one to two times per week' (36.5%). Among the 69 feminine cleansers, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, and methyl paraben were detected at $144-4,428{\mu}g/g$, $195-1,470{\mu}g/g$, $269-4,237{\mu}g/g$, and $625-4,901{\mu}g/g$, respectively. BA was the most frequently detected (46.4%). Conclusions: In the present study, the characteristics of feminine cleanser use among Korean women were investigated. Based on an analysis of preservatives in the feminine hygiene products, one product was determined to exceed the maximum authorized concentration of MeP (0.4%). Our results will help refine exposure and risk assessment for toxic chemicals in feminine cleansers.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.165-167
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• 2014

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the effects of Inclear, a feminine cleanser, on sperm motility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from infertile male patients. Following liquefaction, the raw semen samples were diluted with Ham's F-10 nutrient mixture medium containing 0.4% human serum albumin solution at a ratio of 1:3. The semen samples were subsequently centrifuged to separate the seminal plasma from the serum. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended. The sample was again centrifuged to remove cell debris, and the supernatant was removed. The final pellet was gently loosened by resuspension and incubated in medium alone as a control, and in a 10% solution of the medium plus Inclear. A sampling time of 30 minutes was selected on the basis of sperm transport studies. Sperm motility was evaluated with computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: A total of 20 samples were analyzed. The mean age of patients was $34.40{\pm}2.96years$. There was no difference in sperm concentration and motility in the two samples at 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. In both semen samples, the sperm concentration and motility decreased after an incubation period of 30 minutes. However, there was no statistical difference between the samples. Sperm concentration and motility were not significantly different between the control and Inclear samples after 0 minute and 30 minutes of incubation. Conclusion: Inclear has no negative effects on sperm motility. This product can be recommended to pregnancy planners for vaginal hygiene and as a vaginal lubricant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.485-498
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• 2020

Sanitary pads are used with for the sanitization of menstruation bleeding. In this research, twenty medium size disposable sanitary pads were selected from domestic and international brands in order to analyze their shape and size. Additionally, 6 sanitary pads were selected among the 20, and user experience evaluations were completed. The analysis on the shape of the 20 sanitary pads showed that straight-shape pads existed more than curved-shape pads. The means of total pad length, wing length, wing width, front pad width, back pad width, front pad length, and back pad length were 24.5 cm, 8.8 cm, 3.0 cm, 10.0 cm, 10.2 cm, 11.6 cm, and 13.0 cm, respectively. All selected pads were medium size; however, detailed sizes varied between brands. Eighty-one women participated on user experience evaluation. Participants felt that brand F was the longest and brand D the shortest. The results matched with the results on actual pad length measurement. Participants evaluated the fit of brand E most positively and fit of brand A most negatively. The current study provides valuable information for developing disposable sanitary pads.