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Clinical Trials/NCT04885556
NCT04885556UnknownNot Applicable

Evaluation of a Novel Female Hygiene Device for Postcoital Discomfort

Atlantic Health System2 sites in 1 country30 target enrollmentStarted: April 5, 2021Last updated:
Conditions

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Enrollment
30
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I)

Study Overview

Brief Summary

Previous research has shown that semen deposition in the vagina after intercourse leads to dripping, discomfort, and vaginal odor. This study is evaluating a hygiene device designed to be inserted into the vagina after intercourse to absorb semen deposited into the vaginal canal to determine if there is a reduction in dripping and odor, and to determine the amount of fluids absorbed.

Detailed Description

Despite the significant number of sexual dysfunctions in women, physicians often avoid discussing these concerns in the office setting. With recent research on the role of the pelvic floor, and recently approved medical therapies for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, physicians have begun to adapt to questioning patients about libido and pain-related sexual dysfunctions. However, pain-related sexual questionnaires often focus on insertional and penetrational dyspareunia, without asking about discomfort minutes, hours, or even the day following sexual intercourse. One common compliant in ambulatory sexual medicine clinics is the bothersome dripping, odor, and discomfort women experience after sexual activity when no condom is used, and when intravaginal ejaculation occurs.

Previous studies have shown the effects of semen on alterations in the vaginal flora. These changes contribute to a multitude of clinical complaints and diagnoses, including malodor, continuous discharge after intercourse, and bacterial vaginosis (BV). The exposure of semen changes the vaginal flora by increasing the pH levels, in turn altering the bacterial growth pattern. This implies the persistent presence of semen in the vagina may be one of the causes of malodor and development of BV. Chvapil utilized gas chromatography and demonstrated that the longer period of time semen was present in the vagina, the more likely it resulted in a strong and unattractive vaginal odor. Gallo showed that an incidental diagnosis of BV was correlated with detection of sperm on gram stain, and frequent coitus with or without condom use.

The investigator's goal in this study is to evaluate a novel postcoital consumer health product and its effects on the complaints of continuous seepage of semen and vaginal odor after intercourse.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
25 Years to 50 Years (Adult)
Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Heterosexual
  • Age 25-50
  • Has used tampons in the past 5 years
  • Sexually active (vaginal intercourse, minimum once per week)
  • Answered "moderate" to "severe" to being bothered by dripping/discomfort on Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S) questionnaire "on minutes, hours, or following day"
  • Willing and able to use product
  • Understands, reads, writes, and speaks English

Exclusion Criteria

  • Currently using condoms
  • Unable to use device due to poor motor function
  • Chronic disease which makes prone to infection (diabetes, autoimmune)
  • Recurrent yeast infections
  • Recurrent Urinary tract infection (UTI) (>2 within the past year)
  • Diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse (Stage II or greater)
  • Previous pelvic or vaginal surgery which, in the opinion of the investigator, may prevent proper use of product
  • Unable to sign informed consent

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I)

Time Frame: within 1 hour of use of product

Validated Questionnaire

Weight of Investigational Device

Time Frame: within 1 hour of use of product

Product weight (amount of fluid absorbed)

Secondary Outcomes

No secondary outcomes reported

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Michael Ingber

Director of The Center for Specialized Women's Health, division of Garden State Urology/Atlantic Health System

Atlantic Health System

Study Sites (2)

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