• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권2호
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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.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to survey feminine hygiene and vaginal douche practices in middle-aged women to obtain basic information for public health education. Methods: With a descriptive survey design, 134 middle-aged women who have menstrual period were recruited via convenience sampling. Survey contents were from the study by Czerwinski (2000) regarding feminine hygiene and vaginal douching practices. After obtaining IRB approval, a self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to study participants. Results: Mean age of middle-aged women was 46.88 years old. Fifty-six percent of the women practiced vaginal douching. Women performed douching with water (68%), commercial products (13%), soap (12%), and vinegar-mixed water (6%) for clean and fresh feeling, removal of unpleasant odor, and removal of vaginal discharge. Vaginal douche practice was significantly related to a history of vaginitis. Conclusion: The study results indicate that most of the women practiced inadequate feminine hygiene especially in douching, suggesting that is important to develop education programs on feminine hygiene practices for women of all ages, especially regarding douching and hand washing before and after changing pads or tampons.

• 가정∙방문간호학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the condition of feminine hygiene behaviors to identify factors predicting bacterial vaginosis infection. Methods: A self-reporting survey was conducted with 385 female university students in Korea through a descriptive survey. Data were collected on demographics, feminine hygiene behaviors, and bacterial vaginosis infection. Results: The bacterial vaginosis infection rate was 37.9%. Factors predicting bacterial vaginosis infection were grade, age of menarche, history of sexual intercourse, history of sexually transmitted infection, experience of using a bidet, internal douche during menses, over the counter drug anti-itch products, tampons, and tampons/pads combination. Conclusion: To prevent bacterial vaginosis infection among female university students, information and education should be provided to promote positive feminine hygiene behaviors at the university and at home. Results of this study are essential to improve education and practices that will prevent bacterial vaginosis in female university students.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.218-232
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify the risk factors of genital infection by examining the genital hygiene practice followed by adult women of reproductive age. The results can be applied as basic data for health education and health management on female genital hygiene practices. Methods: Data ware collected by conducting an online survey, comprising 200 adult women of reproductive age. Genital infections according to genital hygiene practice were analyzed by simple logistic regression. Results: In this study, the Odds Ratio (OR) of genital infection occurrence of genital hygiene practices used were disposable briefs 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.020), feminine deodorant spray 3.13 (CI 1.37-7.15, p=0.007), deodorant, vaginal inserts (tabs/supp) 10.60 (CI 3.97-28.28, p<0.001), over the counter anti-itch products 3.73 (CI 1.67-8.34, p=0.001), blotting 11.47 (CI 4.62-28.48, p<0.001), natural sea sponge 4.98 (CI 2.04-12.15, p<0.001), reusable cotton pads 5.76 (CI 2.48-13.33, p<0.001), tampons 2.60 (CI 1.17-5.77, p=0.019), tampons/pads between periods 4.79 (CI 2.07-11.10, p<0.001) and tampons/pads combination 4.11 (CI 1.79-9.39, p=0.001) Conclusion: Our results indicated the necessity to refrain from unnecessary application of genital hygiene practices, which is highly related to genital infections identified in this study. There is a need to continue education for proper performance.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.853-859
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• 2009

각국의 여성용 위생용품의 유해중금속을 비교 평가하기 위하여, 일회용 생리대는 한국 3개사, 일본 2개사, 미국 3개사, 독일 3개사, 중국 2개사의 시료와, 여성용 일회용 탐폰은 한국 1개사, 일본 2개사, 미국 2개사 시료를 대상으로 Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb의 유해중금속 분석을 행하였다. 여성용 일회용 생리대의 용출실험에서는 Cr, Ni, Cu가 모든 시료에서 검출 되었다. 또한 여성용 일회용 탐폰의 용출실험에서 Cr, Ni, Cu 가 모든 시료에서 검출 되었다. 여성용 일회용 탐폰의 용출실험의 결과는 생리대의 결과값보다 낮은 농도롤 나타내었다. 본 연구에서 분석한 각국 여성용 일회용 위생용품의 유해중금속의 분석값은 Oeko-Tex Standard 100의 규제치와의 비교에서 규제치 이하로 인체유해성은 없는 것으로 판단되어진다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제41권4호
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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.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.587-601
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• 2020

국내외적으로 유해물질의 통합 노출에 대한 관심은 높아지고 있다. 이러한 흐름에 따라 다양한 경로를 통해 노출될 수 있는 중금속에 대한 통합 노출 연구가 필요하다. 카드뮴과 납은 각각 신장 독성과 인지 장애 등 다양한 독성을 나타낼 수 있으며 또한 발암 물질로 알려져있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 카드뮴과 납의 노출량 추정 및 통합 위해성 평가를 진행하였다. 2016, 2017년의 7기 국민건강영양조사에 참여한 10,733명의 식품, 물, 흡연과 간접흡연, 호흡, 화장품, 여성용 위생용품을 통한 중금속 노출 추정량을 계산하였다. 결과적으로 카드뮴과 납 모두 식품을 통한 노출이 제일 높게 나타났다. 이외에도 흡연은 카드뮴의 주요한 노출원이었으며, 납은 화장품을 통해 높은 농도로 노출되었다. 통합 위해평가에서도 식품이 가장 큰 영향을 미쳤다. 지역적 특성의 차이는 노출 추정량의 차이를 보이지 못하였으나, 연령 별, 성별 간 노출 추정량은 큰 차이를 보였다. 특히, 월경 중인 성인 여성의 경우 카드뮴, 월경 중이지 않은 여성은 납의 노출 추정량이 더 높으며 신체 대사를 고려하였을 때, 그 위험성이 더 클 수 있음을 암시하였다. 결론적으로 노출량 추정 및 통합 위해평가 모두 식품이 주요 노출원이었다. 다만, 잠재적 위험을 방지하기 위해 다른 경로에 대한 노출량 추정 및 위해평가가 요구된다.