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Non-pharmaceutical interventions have continued to grow significantly in recent years within the context of women’s health.
Simply put, non-pharmaceutical interventions are measures used to prevent or control the spread of diseases without the use of medications or vaccines.
While they can complement healthy lifestyle habits, the cons far outweigh the pros when these remedies are relied upon as primary treatments for female health conditions.
Below are some non-pharmaceutical approaches recommended for women’s health that DUBAWA verified this year.
- Bee venom eliminates breast cancer cells
A Facebook account claimed that bee venom destroys all aggressive breast cancer cells within 60 minutes. The user said the key lies in melittin, a powerful compound found in bee venom, which researchers discovered can break apart the outer membranes of cancer cells and shut down key signalling pathways that allow tumours to grow and spread.
DUBAWA’s investigation, however, showed that the claim was misleading. Findings revealed that the claim exaggerated early laboratory findings and presented an unproven substance as a cure-all. Existing studies have only shown effects in controlled laboratory experiments, not in humans. Read more here.
- Adding lemon and sugar to sanitary pads prevents infection
Another claim we fact-checked in 2025 was that of a Facebook user, Promise Mgbeosoro, who said adding lemon and sugar to a sanitary pad before use could prevent infection.
“To prevent infection, do this brilliant idea that my mom taught,” the user had claimed in the viral post.
DUBAWA probed the claim and established it was misleading. Research and medical experts noted that such practices could cause irritation and increase the risk of diseases rather than prevent them. Read more here.
- Is Alum safe for vaginal tightening?
During the year, Niniola Apata, a popular Nigerian Afrobeats artist, also made the headlines over her controversial claim.
In her song “Ginger Me,” she insinuated that using alum could help in vaginal tightening.
This sparked conversations and prompted DUBAWA to check it. Our findings showed that claim was misleading. Medical experts confirmed it lacked scientific support and posed serious health risks, including infections, infertility, scarring, and vaginal damage. Read more about it here.
- Pineapple peels for belly fattening
An Instagram user claimed that a boiled mixture of pineapple peels, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, and lemon juice could flatten one’s stomach. The post recommended that drinking this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before bedtime would make the user of the concoction look like someone who had undergone liposuction.
Upon investigation, we found that while the ingredients in this tea offer various health benefits, there was no strong scientific evidence to support the claim that they could directly lead to a flat stomach.
Sustainable weight loss and fat reduction require a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, rather than relying on a single remedy. Read the full story here.
- Clove soaked in hot water to treat female infertility
Recently, some social media users circulated posts claiming that cloves soaked in hot water have the potential to cure female infertility and encouraged women to try it out.
The posts, which all contained the exact wording and picture, stated that the mixture of hot water and cloves helped to restore menstruation, tighten the vagina, and cure yeast infections.
Upon investigation, we discovered that the claim was false, as it lacked empirical support. Read the full article here.
