Doctors have accused Kourtney Kardashian of promoting “total pseudoscience” by claiming that supplements made from “good” bacteria, vitamin C and pineapple extract can “promote vaginal health” and affect genital odor.
On Monday, the 44-year-old posted on her Instagram Story promoting Lemme Purr, a vaginal health capsule from her wellness brand Lemme.
The product – which launches on Tuesday – is an offshoot of its namesake vaginal health gummies.
“This is the first vaginal health capsule to use four clinically studied probiotic strains that support pH balance, vaginal health and urinary tract health,” she said in the post.
However, experts told DailyMail.com that the pills – which cost $40 for 60 capsules – provide no benefit and are ‘predatory’ and ‘capture’ women’s insecurities around their vagina and vaginal discharge.
Dr. Mickey Karram, a urogynecologist in Beverly Hills, told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s total pseudoscience. It is ridiculous.’
‘There is no good science behind any of this. I don’t think this is something anyone should take into account.’
Kourtney Kardashian promoted Lemme Purr’s vaginal health capsules on her Instagram Story this week
The supplements are made from pineapple extract, vitamin C and four types of probiotics (good bacteria), which the brand claims have been ‘clinically studied’. However, the company has not publicly released any studies on its effectiveness.
Probiotics have traditionally been marketed as supplements to improve gut health and strengthen the immune system. But recently, wellness companies have developed similar products that they say can improve the balance of vaginal flora.
Dr. Karram said that while the ingredients in Lemme Purr have not been shown to be harmful, they are unlikely to affect vaginal health. “I have no idea where (Lemme) came up with that concoction, but nowhere in peer-reviewed scientific literature has it been shown that the vagina is lacking or would benefit from vitamin C or pineapple extract.”
“There’s no evidence whatsoever that anything related to what they put in is going to make anything better,” he said.
According to Lemme, the capsules contain four types of probiotics, in addition to vitamin C and pineapple extract. However, experts cautioned that there is no evidence to suggest that vitamin C and pineapple extract have any impact on vaginal health
Lemme Purr vaginal health capsules sell for $40 on the brand’s website
Research on how supplements can affect vaginal health is limited. Some proponents claim that the ingredients reach the vagina through the bloodstream, while others say they affect the sexual organs indirectly – by affecting the balance of hormones such as estrogen.
Estrogen can increase the acidity of the vagina, which the vagina needs to ward off infections.
Experts also warned that vaginal odor does not need to be changed – unless the odor is strong and different from what is usual for each individual woman.
This is because the vagina is a self-sustaining organ, meaning it cleans itself and does not require any nutrients or medications to keep it functioning.
Dr. Greg Marchand, a gynecologist at the Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Arizona, told DailyMail.com: ‘The vagina does not need the addition of bacteria or supplements to stay clean and healthy, and women should not be told they need such a supplement without proven benefits.’
If you have a strong vaginal odor, Dr. Karram said it could be an indication of an infection, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.
A vaginal yeast infection causes irritation, discharge and intense itching around the vagina and vulva – the outer part of the vaginal opening. It can be caused by bacteria that form through sweat and other moisture.
With bacterial vaginosis, the natural bacteria levels in the vagina become out of balance, leading to a foul-smelling odor, itching, discharge and a burning sensation during urination.
Suzannah Weiss, a sexologist at Bed Bibletold DailyMail.com: ‘Normal vaginal odor is not something you need to reduce.’
“If you have an infection or a bacterial or fungal imbalance, the vagina may have a less pleasant odor, but then the goal is to treat the infection or imbalance — not the odor itself.”
Dr. Marchand warned that marketing the supplement as affecting vaginal odor could lead women to ignore serious health complications or not see a doctor if they experience a strong odor, irritation or other symptoms.
“If you go this route, a woman may be ignoring a serious vaginal irritation,” such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Dr. Marchand said.
If ignored, PID has been shown to lead to blockage of the fallopian tubes – which connect the ovaries and the uterus – and infertility.
Furthermore, “clinically studied” is a vague term that does not specify how studies were conducted, what the limitations were, and what the general findings were.
Experts also warned that marketing these types of supplements as a remedy for vaginal odor, which does not need to be controlled unless severe, could affect women’s insecurities and make them feel self-conscious.
Dr. Sameena Rahman, a gynecologist and founder of the Center for Gynecology and Cosmetics in Chicago told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s an example of predatory feminine hygiene marketing to cash in on women’s insecurities around their vaginas and vaginal discharge.’
“If you have a foul-smelling or fishy odor, you should see your gynecologist to check for an infection, and these products can’t help you with that.”