title: A systematic review of the effect of daily panty liner use on the vulvovaginal environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whether panty liners predispose to vulvovaginitis is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the effects of the use of panty liners on the female genital tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several electronic databases (including PubMed and Embase) were searched to identify studies published in English before May 3, 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control studies, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies comparing young women who did and did not use panty liners in the intermenstrual period were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Jadad Scale. Data from suitable studies were extracted for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five articles met the inclusion criteria. Four studies-all of which included only healthy women-found no significant clinical implications arising from the use of panty liners. The fifth study was of women with recurrent candidiasis and showed that use of panty liners was associated with new candidiasis episodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intermenstrual use of panty liners does not seem to have a negative effect on the vulvovaginal area.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil. Electronic address: anacpontes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rose L G
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Giraldo
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joziani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beghini
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Helena P D
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Giraldo
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, The State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Etienne S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cordeiro
mesh_terms: D041342:Absorbent Pads / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; Feminine hygiene products; Panty liner; Vaginal discharge; Vulvovaginal candidiasis; Vulvovaginitis