title: Women's experiences, preferences and perceptions regarding vaginal products: Results from a cross-sectional web-based survey in Portugal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to identify Portuguese women's experiences, preferences and perceptions regarding vaginal products.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted (February-May 2013) among Portuguese women (aged 18 to 65 years) using an online questionnaire. Descriptive and chi-squared statistics were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 2529 women, 85.4% had used vaginal products, mostly to manage vulvovaginal infections (75.3%). Gels, creams and ointments (semi-solids) were the most frequently used (82%), followed by vaginal suppositories (56.5%) and tablets/capsules (41.8%), while vaginal rings were used by 10% of women. Semi-solids were preferred as an intravaginal medication both by women who had previously used them and by women who had never used an intravaginal product, while preference for vaginal rings was higher only among women who had previously used them. Even though 87.1% of all women considered vaginal drug delivery to be advantageous, the majority preferred to use oral products. Leakage (84.8%) and insertion difficulties (58.4%) were the main problems reported for vaginal products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, semi-solids were the most used and preferred vaginal products, while vaginal rings were highly acceptable for women who had previously used them. Although they considered the vaginal route to be more efficient and safe, many women felt it to be less appealing than the oral route, particularly due to comfort issues.
authors.affiliation: * CICS - UBI: Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior , Covilhã , Portugal.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palmeira-de-Oliveira
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmeira-de-Oliveira
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: das Neves
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breitenfeld
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez-de-Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies
keywords: Vaginal dosage forms; Vaginal drug delivery; Vaginal products; Vaginal route; Women's acceptability