Doctors warn women against inserting Herbal Womb Detox Pearls inside their genitals

By inserting bags of perfumed herbs inside their genitals for 72 hours, women are allegedly told by a Florida company that the detoxification procedure would help treat several ailments. These include endometriosis, ovarian cysts, thrush and fibroids. One type is even being marketed to help with vaginal tightening.

Embrace Pangaea, the Florida company that manufactures the balls, called Herbal Womb Detox Pearls, sells it at $107 to $694 (AUD$156 to $1,010) for one- or two-month packages, reports News.com.au. However, doctors warn women from using the herbal balls which have the potential of causing fatal toxic shock syndrome.

According to Mayo Clinic, toxic shock syndrome, a rare, life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections, is the result of toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It could also be caused by toxins produced by group A streptococcus bacteria.

The condition is often linked with the use of superabsorbent tampons. But following the pullout of certain types of tampons from the market, incidents of toxic shock syndrome had gone down significantly.

Jen Gunter, a gynaecologist, warns women that the “health” fad could be dangerous and cause their private parts to smell. In her blog, she points out that the pearls are not designed for prolonged vaginal use. Gunter explains that vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, and instead of helping women, the herbs inside the balls could damage the balance of bacteria inside their genitals.

Although she is unsure what are inside the balls, Gunter believes it has something caustic or drying. Leaving something inside the female genital for three days is not good because bacteria would grow.

However, Tamieka Atkinson, owner of Embrace Pangeae, denies that the company claims the pearls could cure, diagnose or treat disease. She stresses that the company provides high-quality herbal detoxes and information to teach their clients about natural living, reports the Independent.

While Atkinson says that they advise buyers that the company’s employees are not medical professionals, and they advise clients to seek help from physicians, she insists that many women who used their products received positive benefits from it.