Conflicting advice circulating on social media has left many women questioning whether using toilet tissue after urinating could increase their risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), irritation or other intimate health problems.

Some online posts even claim that wiping with tissue paper is unsafe.

However, medical experts say there is no scientific evidence that using clean, plain, unscented tissue paper after urinating causes infections when used correctly.

Instead, they warn that practices such as douching, using scented feminine wipes, cleaning inside the vagina and wiping from back to front are far more likely to upset the natural balance of the genital area and increase the risk of infections.

Speaking with PT Health Watch, Yahya Mohammed, a medical doctor at the National Hospital, Abuja, said maintaining intimate hygiene does not require expensive products or excessive cleaning.

According to him, the real concern is not tissue paper itself but hygiene habits that introduce bacteria into the urinary tract or interfere with the body’s natural protective mechanisms.

Plain tissue paper is safe

Mr Mohammed said gently drying the genital area with clean, unscented toilet tissue after urinating is safe for most women and may even help reduce prolonged moisture that can contribute to skin irritation.

He explained that while wet wipes are generally safe if they are mild and fragrance-free, products containing perfumes, alcohol or harsh chemicals can irritate the delicate skin around the vulva.

Such irritation, he noted, is sometimes mistaken for an infection.

He stressed that routine use of feminine wipes is unnecessary.

According to him, washing the external genital area, the vulva, with clean water is sufficient for everyday hygiene. Women who prefer soap should use only mild, fragrance-free cleansers.

“Clean tissue paper is generally safe, while wet wipes are usually safe if they are non irritating,” he said.

What really causes UTIs?

Mr Mohammed explained that UTIs are most commonly caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally live in the bowel.

He said clean toilet tissue does not cause UTIs.

Although wet wipes may offer additional comfort during menstruation or for women experiencing diarrhoea or haemorrhoids, he said they should not replace routine washing with clean water.

Rather than worrying about tissue paper, he said women should focus on hygiene practices that prevent harmful bacteria from reaching the urinary tract.

Hygiene habits to avoid

Mr Mohammed identified several common practices that increase the risk of irritation and infection.

According to him, wiping from back to front after using the toilet can transfer bacteria from the anus to the urinary tract.

He also cautioned against using coloured, scented or antibacterial wipes for intimate hygiene, saying these products can irritate sensitive skin and may contribute to recurrent vaginal infections or allergic reactions.

Other habits women should avoid include wiping too aggressively, cleaning inside the vagina, douching after urinating, remaining in wet underwear for long periods, wearing very tight non breathable underwear and washing the vulva with harsh soaps.

He explained that douching can wash away the protective bacteria that help maintain the vagina’s normal pH, increasing the risk of infections.

The best way to clean after using the toilet

According to Mr Mohammed, the best hygiene method often depends on personal preference, skin sensitivity and what is readily available.

He recommended using plain, unscented toilet tissue to gently blot or wipe dry after urinating.

READ ALSO: PT Health Watch: From symptoms to risks, how UTIs differ from vaginal infections

After a bowel movement, women should wipe until the tissue is clean.

He added that rinsing the vulva with clean water is also an excellent option, while combining water with gentle drying using plain tissue provides additional comfort for many women.

Less is more

Mr Mohammed emphasised that women do not need elaborate intimate hygiene routines.

He explained that the vagina is naturally self-cleaning through normal secretions, while the vulva only requires gentle external cleaning.

He said excessive washing or using multiple intimate hygiene products can do more harm than good.

He advised women experiencing persistent itching, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during urination, foul odour or recurrent infections to seek medical attention rather than rely on social media advice or self-medication.

“The vulva cleans itself through its natural secretions,” he said.

He added that maintaining simple hygiene practices and seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms remain the best ways to protect intimate health.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has announced the start of the world’s first human clinical trial of a vaccine developed specifically against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, with the first volunteer vaccinated at the University of Oxford.

The announcement was contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday by CEPI’s Senior Communications and Advocacy Manager, Jodie Rogers.

The Phase I clinical trial, known as BD-Ebov, will evaluate the safety of the experimental vaccine and its ability to stimulate immune responses in healthy adult volunteers.

The vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 BDBV, was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford’s Oxford Vaccine Group and the Pandemic Sciences Institute using the same adenoviral vector technology employed in the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the statement, the milestone comes only weeks after the launch of the BD-Ebov study and marks the first time the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine has been administered to humans.

It said the vaccine development programme had progressed rapidly through collaboration among the University of Oxford, its Clinical BioManufacturing Facility, the Serum Institute of India (SII) and CEPI.

The statement added that SII manufactured the vaccine candidate in record time and has stockpiled approximately 620,000 doses, while providing 4,000 investigational doses for the ongoing clinical trial.

CEPI said the trial forms part of an $8.6 million programme supporting the University of Oxford and SII to accelerate the development of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain.

Ebola outbreak

NAN reports that the trial comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) battles a severe outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease, with more than 2,500 confirmed cases and over 1,000 deaths recorded.

Unlike the Zaire strain of Ebola, for which licensed vaccines are available, there is currently no approved vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain.

David Pulido-Gomez, Global Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls Lead at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, said the vaccine candidate moved from concept to clinical evaluation within just eight weeks.

“Reaching this milestone in such a short timeframe reflects an extraordinary collaborative effort,” he said.

“Working alongside colleagues at the Clinical BioManufacturing Facility and the Serum Institute of India, we have taken this vaccine candidate from concept to clinic in just eight weeks.”

The Lead Study Doctor, Peter Skydmore, described the vaccination of the first participant as a significant milestone.

Mr Skydmore said while these are very early days, they represent an important first step in evaluating this vaccine in humans.

“Over the coming months, we will continue vaccinating and monitoring participants while assessing the vaccine’s safety and immune responses,” he said.

Chief Investigator, Katrina Pollock, said the commencement of the trial marked another important phase in the multinational effort to develop a vaccine against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus.

Ms Pollock commended the commitment of research partners and volunteers, saying their participation was critical to responding to the ongoing outbreak.

Commenting on the development, CEPI Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hatchett, said the worsening outbreak in the DRC underscored the urgency of developing a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain.

“With Bundibugyo cases increasing at a concerning rate in the DRC, this epidemic shows no signs of stopping,” he said.

“The need for a vaccine against this specific Ebolavirus becomes more urgent every day.”

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of SII, Adar Poonawalla, said the rapid manufacture of the vaccine candidate demonstrated how scientific innovation and scalable production could accelerate responses to emerging infectious diseases.

He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to supporting equitable access to vaccines for populations most at risk.

According to the statement, recruitment and vaccination of additional volunteers will continue over the coming weeks, while preparations are underway, subject to regulatory approval, for further clinical studies in Uganda.

It added that if the Phase I trial demonstrates favourable safety and immune responses, CEPI, the University of Oxford and SII will advance to larger late-stage studies to support emergency use authorisation or full regulatory approval.

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The partners also pledged to ensure the rapid, affordable and equitable supply of the vaccine to affected countries once it is successfully developed.

About the vaccine

NAN reports that ChAdOx1 BDBV is an experimental vaccine developed specifically to protect against the Bundibugyo strain, one of the species that causes Ebola Virus Disease.

The vaccine uses the ChAdOx1 platform, a harmless chimpanzee adenovirus vector engineered to carry genetic material from the Bundibugyo ebolavirus.

The technology trains the body’s immune system to recognise and fight the virus without causing Ebola infection.

The same ChAdOx1 platform was used to develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which was deployed globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers say the existing platform enabled the rapid development of the Bundibugyo vaccine candidate. (NAN)