The Use of “Natural” Substances for Menstrual Hygiene: A Case Report of an Embedded Vaginal Sea Sponge

In early adolescence, irregular menstrual bleeding patterns are common and are frequently due to anovulatory cycles or bleeding disorders. As such, the diagnosis of a vaginal foreign body might initially be missed. We describe a 14-year-old adolescent female presenting with ongoing irregular menstru...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology 2023-02, Vol.36 (1), p.83-85
Main Authors: Golub, Sarah A., Pham, Do-Quyen, Oelschlager, Anne-Marie Amies
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Female
Foreign Bodies - complications
Foreign Bodies - diagnostic imaging
Foreign body
Humans
Hygiene
Menstruation
Menstruation Disturbances - complications
Natural menstrual products
Sea sponge
Uterine Hemorrhage - etiology
Vaginal bleeding
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In early adolescence, irregular menstrual bleeding patterns are common and are frequently due to anovulatory cycles or bleeding disorders. As such, the diagnosis of a vaginal foreign body might initially be missed. We describe a 14-year-old adolescent female presenting with ongoing irregular menstrual spotting despite reassuring laboratory workup and ultrasonography. She was found to have an embedded vaginal sea sponge eroding through the vaginal wall. On further discussion, she reported using a natural sea sponge for menstrual blood absorption. In cases of persistent vaginal spotting, vaginal foreign body should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Use of nontraditional menstrual hygiene products could lead to medical complications and negative health outcomes in adolescents.
ISSN:1083-3188
1873-4332
DOI:10.1016/j.jpag.2022.09.006