Comparison of the moisturization efficacy of two vaginal moisturizers: Pectin versus polycarbophil technologies

This study was designed to compare the vaginal deposition and moisturization of two vaginal moisturizers, Summer's Eve (SE), based on pectin, and Replens (Rp), based on polycarbophil, in a double-blind crossover study design. Fifty-one female patients were each randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. After a one-week washout period, the products were used for two weeks. After another one-week washout period, product assignments were switched. Colposcopy examinations were performed at the beginning and at the end of each product use. Of the forty-seven patients completing the study, 41 (87%) were found to have no vaginal residue after SE vaginal moisturizer, while only 25 (53%) were found to have no vaginal residue after using Rp vaginal moisturizer. No difference in relief of vaginal dryness or in product acceptance was found between the two products. This study shows that the use of SE vaginal moisturizer, based on pectin, resulted in significantly less vaginal residue compared to Rp vaginal moisturizer, based on polycarbophil, and in comparable relief of vaginal dryness. These results strongly suggest that bioadhesion is not important in vaginal moisturizers.