Doctors are warning against a new viral TikTok trend that sees single women use their vaginal discharge as perfume.
‘Vabbing’—which involves smearing fluid behind the ears and neck—was made popular by American TikTokker Mandy Lee, whose original video racked up 1.5 million views.
Proponents claim it increases the chance of attracting men, by spreading their pheromones — chemicals made by the body to attract mates in some animals.
But doctors say there is little evidence to support this works the same way in humans and warn the trend carries serious risks of vaginal infections, including thrush.
Dr. Paraskevi Dimitriadi, a private gynecologist in London, told MailOnline it could also lead to problems with fertility.
Bacteria on women’s fingers can lead pelvic inflammatory disease, where the bugs spread from the cervix to organs higher up, Dr Dimitriadi said.
This can lead to scarring in the fallopian tubes, making it difficult for fertilized eggs to reach the womb.
But doctors say there is little evidence to support this works the same way in humans and warn the trend carries serious risks of vaginal infections, including thrush.
Dr. Paraskevi Dimitriadi, a private gynecologist in London, told MailOnline it could also lead to problems with fertility.
Bacteria on women’s fingers can lead pelvic inflammatory disease, where the bugs spread from the cervix to organs higher up, Dr Dimitriadi said.
This can lead to scarring in the fallopian tubes, making it difficult for fertilized eggs to reach the womb.
‘I swear if you vab, you will attract people, like a date, a one-night stand or you’ll just get free drinks all night,’ she said in the video, which has since been deleted by the platform.
She said: ‘Get up there, give ’em a swipe. You don’t have to be fresh out of the shower clean but relatively clean.
‘Dab vab behind the ears, on the wrists, maybe a little on the neck.
‘I don’t know what they’re putting in pheromone perfume but it can’t replicate your own smell and your own personalised chemicals.
‘Proceed with caution — because it works.’
While her video has now been taken down, other content creators have continued to champion the technique.
Plus-size OnlyFans creator Jewliah created a ‘Vabbing 101’ video in which she explains how to do the bizarre trend in a supposedly hygienic way.
