Are Deodorants Safe?
Are deodorants safe?  According to studies and reports conducted by ( CU)
Consumers Union, and the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) they're
not. Old medical studies that  were performed between 1960-1979
recommended totally  avoiding feminine deodorant sprays, ( FDS ),and
some other body odor controlling products as well. What has federal
regulation done over the years  to  help insure the safety of these
products?  That's a question that's well worth investigating before
purchasing any product that's going to be used in such a sensitive area as
the genital. So lets take a look at earlier reports concerning some of these
products.

In the early 1960's, the cosmetic industry expanded from the underarm
deodorant to a more private part of the body-the genital.  By 1971 there
were thirty brands of feminine deodorant sprays on the market and
Americans were spending well over $67 million annually in an attempt to, in
some cases, satisfy a paranoia of do I smell good.  In the process, women
were unaware of the hidden dangers of  such an attempt;ingredient side
affects of theses products were not known. During that period, (60-70's),
the cosmetic industry was not require by law to list any  ingredients on
product labels. Since their products were not considered to be a drug,and
did not affect bodily functions, they did not fall under labeling regulations.
However,antiperspirants did have to list ingredients because these
products affected  bodily function sweating,and therefore were considered
drugs under the Food, drug,and cosmetic act.

In January 1972 Consumers Reports published an article on genital
deodorants,  listing them as being potentially hazardous. The decision was
based on numerous reports of serious injuries. In October 1973 the (FDA)
issued regulations requiring ingredient labeling for all cosmetic products.
Labels would have to list ingredients in descending order of predominance.
During that same period the (FDA) was also receiving consumer
complaints about deodorant sprays,the offending ingredient or ingredients,
had not been identified.  Doctors of the (FDA) believed  the pressure from
the propellant may have aided  in setting up inflammation of the urethra
(short passage from the bladder to the outside) which can cause narrowing
of the urethra, pain, retention of urine in the bladder,that can lead to
recurrent urinary tract and other infections. Manufactures of these
products suggested holding the can at least six inches from the genital
area. But to quote  CU, "we never seen one of these products come with a
ruler included." During that period the list of consumer complaints not only
included feminine sprays.  It also included deodorant  
soaps,antiperspirants,and  just plain everyday deodorants such as Right  
Guard, Soft & Dri, and Mennen E, which added the vitamin E to their
formula.  "The (FDA) received numerous letters from consumers telling of
allergic reactions and severe rashes. Shipments of the product were
discontinued, the (FDA) permitted remaining stocks of Mennen E to stay
on the shelves."

In several  lawsuits filed against Alberto Culver,one involving  a fourteen
year old girl was described by her physician as suffering
"incredibly"swollen labia. In another case a woman alleged that she
developed large lumps after using an ( FD)  spray."The swelling was as big
as a grapefruit",her physician said. "You never saw a more miserable girl
in your life". Her lawsuit against Alberto Culver was settled out of court.
In 1971 Alberto Culver had reports of 107 women users of feminine sprays
who had complained of irritation,allergic reactions, burns, infections,
dermatitis of the thighs, stinging, swelling, itching, inflammation, lumps,and
even a burned hand. The company had to present this information in court
due to a lawsuit that had been filed by a woman claiming she had been
injured by a feminine deodorant spray. The number of injuries that can be
contributed to the use of feminine sprays will never be known,since most
people don't bother to write or call,they simply stop using the product. And
of the ones that do consult a physician, most never suspect the spray as the
cause of their pain,and or irritation.

Consumers Union medical consultants also advise against using a genital
deodorant just before intercourse. The freshly applied spray can be carry
into the vagina creating various complications such as
irritation,swelling,and tract infection .  According to "Today's Health,"an
American Medical Association publication,feminine sprays can also cause
irritation to a male sexual partner that comes in contact with the freshly
sprayed vagina."In October of 1972 an FDA advisory panel of
obstetricians and gynecologists voted unanimously that genital deodorants
be considered drugs and  subject to extensive controlled testing for safety
and effectiveness before further marketing would be permitted." Dr.
Bernard A. Davis, a Montreal gynecologist, reported treating about thirty
cases of inflammation of the genital area following the use of feminine
sprays. "Surely," he said,"in this gadget-conscious,product-oriented
civilization,we must resist those instances where a demand is being
artificially created for a product of questionable value. This is especially
true where even the minimal advantage can be more than out-weighed by
significant complications."

When genital sprays first came onto the market,some saw them as being
offensive to women. Germaine Greer, Author of "The Female
Eunuch",commented that she had never seen anyone lying around
overcome by vaginal fumes." Other leaders of the women's movement
joined in condemning the vaginal spray as a totally useless and demeaning
product. Dr. Natalie Shainiss, a New York psychiatrist, said at a senate
hearing in 1971,"the implication of need for such a spray conveys a
message of a woman being dirty and smelly-extremely damaging to a
woman's sense of self".

The external genitals,the vulva, contain glands capable of producing mild
odor secretions. Close fitting clothing such as underwear, slacks, and
pantyhose tend to delay the evaporation of perspiration. Normal skin
bacteria act on those secretions and produce an unfavorable odor. Vulva
odors occur naturally in a greater or less degree in most healthy women.
Consumers Union  medical consultants advise soap and water as the most
effective and certainly the safest hygiene. The Medical Letter states,"It is
unlikely that commercial feminine hygiene sprays are as effective as soap
and water in promoting a hygienic and odor free external genital surface."
However, some odors may be caused by an unsuspecting tumor of the
uterus or cervix, menstrual flow, a forgotten tampon or contraceptive
device." Soap and water does not control odors from these sources,but
neither does a chemical spray." Most importantly, CU's medical
consultants are concerned that use of genital sprays may make some
women with medically significant odorous discharges, put off seeking
medical advice while using the spray instead." But if one does choose to
use one of these sprays,medical advisers recommend never spraying
directly into the Vagina!

Though many changes have been made in these products over the
years,people with allergies, and those hypersensitive to certain chemicals
will still be playing guessing games with the cosmetics they use. CU states,
"The one cosmetic consumers can surely do without-even should all its
ingredients be clearly marked on the label-is the genital spray
deodorants."   
Information found on this site has been collected
from old documents and various other sources.
We are not doctors.
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