ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

Gynecologist warning: ‘don’t put ground wasp nest in your vagina’

A doctor specialising in women’s health was horrified to discover this product for sale. - by that's life!
  • 05 Jun 2017
Gynecologist warning: ‘don’t put ground wasp nest in your vagina’

A gynecologist is pleading with women to not take part in a dangerous ‘traditional’ practice of putting ground-up wasp-made ‘oak galls’ into their vaginas.

Dr Gunter explains that an oak gall is formed when a wasp makes a hole in the bark of an oak tree and deposits larvae there. The tree, in response, produces gallic and tannic acids which form around the larvae and create a ‘nut’. When the larvae is grown, it drills its way out of the oak gall and into the world.

These leftover nuts are now for sale as a ‘traditional’ medicinal treatment for all sorts of things, including to ‘restore elasticity’ after childbirth, improve sex lives, and even treat dental symptoms like toothache.

Dr Gunter, writing on her blog, describes how this is, in fact, a terrible idea.

‘This is a dangerous practice with real potential to harm,’ she writes.

One of the qualities of a ground-up gall nut is that it acts an an astringent - which means it has drying qualities.

The product claims this is a good thing - helping ‘tighten’ the vagina.

Dr Gunter, however, disagrees:

‘Drying the vaginal mucosa increases the risk of abrasions during sex (not good) and destroys the protective mucous layer (not good). It could also wreak havoc with the good bacteria.’

RELATED: 'It's just like flossing' Woman reveals personal hygiene tip you must NEVER follow

The practice could also cause women to experience pain during sex, and even increase the risk of HIV transmission.

She ends with a sentence she never expected to have to write:

‘So don’t put dried up wasp’s nest in your vagina. I feel pretty confident in offering that up as medical advice.’

Don't put ground up wasp nest in your vagina

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

How to ease tired muscles and relax!

How to ease tired muscles and relax!

I've Made $40,000 Selling Trash

I've Made $40,000 Selling Trash

Meet Bianca The Ballet Busker

Meet Bianca The Ballet Busker

Gutsy Gran: I Skydived At 90!

Gutsy Gran: I Skydived At 90!

{headline}

{headline}

I found $200,000 at the op shop!

I found $200,000 at the op shop!

10 Budget-Savvy Tips for Groceries and Bills

10 Budget-Savvy Tips for Groceries and Bills

I started surfing at 75!

I started surfing at 75!

{headline}

{headline}

The photo that changed my life

The photo that changed my life

Bushfire survivor: 'I healed myself with exercise'

Bushfire survivor: 'I healed myself with exercise'

10-year-old runs a marathon in his house!

10-year-old runs a marathon in his house!

Unlikely friendship: My best mate's an alpaca!

Unlikely friendship: My best mate's an alpaca!

House Rules’ Carolyn Burns-McCrave’s top tips on preparing the family for renos!

House Rules’ Carolyn Burns-McCrave’s top tips on preparing the family for renos!

Learning to live in isolation!

Learning to live in isolation!

6 tips for working from home

6 tips for working from home

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • Hard to Find
  • Australian Women's Weekly
© 2023 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!