Page 14 - IAV Digital Magazine #467

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Don’t Put Parsley In Your Vagina, Doctors Warn After Marie Claire Said It Can Induce Periods
Women’s maga- zine Marie
Claire has been criticised as “irre- sponsible” by medical experts, after suggesting t hat women can insert parsley into their vaginas to induce periods.
According an arti- cle that has since been deleted, parsley can help “kick-start your period” by soften- ing the cervix and levelling hormon- al imbalances that may be delaying the peri- od.
The reason is supposedly because parsley is an emmena- gogue, a sub- stance that stimu- lates or increases menstrual flow.
“If you’re strug- gling to find a dish based on parsley, don’t panic – the most effective forms are said to be
parsley tea and parsley vaginal inserts,” the arti- cle states.
However, doctors strongly advise against inserting parsley into
the vagina – as it can lead to numerous health risks.
Dr Shazia
Malik told The Independent: “There is no evi- dence of any benefit to a woman of doing
this, and clear risk of significant harm as deaths have been report- ed.
“I would urge women not to insert anything unless they have taken proper medical advice.”
Dr Sheila Newman reiterat- ed the warning to avoid putting parsley in the vagina, telling us: “That is not something that is recommended by
gynaecologists.
“There are only a few things that should go in your vagina and veg- etables generally aren’t one of them.”
Additionally, Dr Newman said: “There are ways to manipulate your menstrual cycle and avoid having your peri- od at certain times but they should be dis- cussed with your
gynaecologist” and that the advice published by Marie Claire is “irresponsible.”
In addition to non-medically backed claims that parsley can induce periods, the herb has also been touted as a method of induc- ing at-home abor- tions – which can lead to infection and be potentially fatal.
There are also “no evidenced-
based practices,” that this works, Dr Newman
said. “We have safe and effective ways to terminate an undesired pregnancy.”
In August, a woman died from septic shock and infection after reportedly using parsley to induce miscarriage in Argentina.
A spokesperson for Marie
Claire told The Independent: “Ma rie Claire prides itself on well researched beau- ty and lifestyle stories, with advice sought from appropriate industry experts – sadly this feature does not reflect those standards and we have removed the arti- cle. It was mis- guided and we are sorry our usual care and stringency was not followed.”
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine