Mitos y creencias del cuidado e higiene íntima en mujeres peruanas jóvenes

Introduction: Myths and beliefs about female intimate hygiene are often spread, which could have consequences in many aspects. Objective: To determine the association between the myths and beliefs of intimate care and hygiene and the actual care of intimate hygiene in young Peruvian women. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, which exposed a review of the topic to conduct a survey of 21 questions on common issues in intimate hygiene, post pilot, asked about its performance and weekly frequency; The latter was associated with socio-educational variables. Results: Of the 600 young women surveyed, there was a difference regarding age according to the perception of the use of cotton underwear (p = 0.013), the cleaning of the intimate area from front to back (p <0.001), the use of underwear not very tight (p <0.001), the use of synthetic clothing (p = 0.045), the use of exclusive soap for the intimate area (p <0.001), the age of onset of sexual intercourse (p = 0.031) and the use of contraceptive methods as causing flow (p = 0.008). Regarding whether or not they were students, there was a difference in the perception that shaving the pubis for cleaning (p = 0.018) and that relaxation exercises decrease vaginal discharge (p = 0.030). Conclusions: Some myths and beliefs regarding intimate cleansing were described; In turn, some hygiene practices were found to be associated with age and being a student. This should be studied in depth, as this could lead to bigger problems.