Should you trust artificial intelligence with your intimate health?
Increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are making headlines. Recently, chatbots, such as ChatGPT , have been launched. These can answer questions accurately based on an analysis of the data they have access to. At IntyEssentials , we decided to test the contribution of ChatGPT in terms of sexual health in order to verify its relevance.
The results are mixed, which in our opinion makes ChatGPT an unreliable tool for getting answers to medical questions. Sometimes, these are correct and very satisfactory, other times the information obtained is more than questionable, even contradictory. Here is a report of our conversations with this tool to help you decide whether or not to trust AI when it comes to your intimate health.
What does ChatGPT think about personal hygiene?
Fuzzy terms
We asked ChatGPT “how do I clean my vagina?”. While the answers to this question are relatively relevant to personal hygiene in general, the unclear wording of these answers may make it difficult for readers to understand. For example, the tool talks about the “vaginal region,” a rather vague term that doesn’t mean much. However, when it comes to the answer to the question “Why do I need to clean my vagina when it’s self-cleaning?”, the result is very satisfactory.
Contradictory elements
The tool also explains that the vagina has a natural self-cleaning system, while later stating that "It is best to use products without soap, perfume, or other irritating ingredients, as these can disrupt the natural balance of vaginal flora."
However, it is neither useful nor recommended to clean the vagina itself. Only the vulva and the perineal area are concerned by this advice. To the question - inspired by the wacky miracle cures circulating on social networks - "can we use lemon juice for intimate hygiene?", the answer is also appropriate, but the same vagueness remains regarding the use of terms such as "the vaginal region".
To wash or not to wash your vagina, that is the question!
But also good answers
Good surprise! When asked whether mild soap can be used to clean the vagina internally, ChatGPT gives a reliable and judicious answer. However, the question had to be asked in a very specific and targeted manner to obtain such a high quality of response. The tool also provides relevant advice on the subject of vaginal odor, when asked the question “does the vagina smell bad during menstruation?”.
The smell of the vagina during menstruation is different,
but not nauseating.
Sexual Pain Recommendations You Can Trust
To test ChatGPT's capabilities, we asked it many questions on a variety of topics, including sexual pain. We were pleasantly surprised by the kindness of its answers, the tool taking into account the impact on people's quality of life, respect for their health, but also the importance of opening dialogue within the couple on this type of subject. A small downside, however, regarding the inclusiveness of the answers, which are still too often formulated in a male voice.
Discussing your sexual pain with your partner
is a great tip!
Answers that sometimes contain false information
Although chatGPT's answers are generally quite accurate - even if vague - the AI sometimes gives unverifiable or even false information. For example, when we asked it to tell us about the history of intimate lubricants, the tool mentioned as the first modern product of this type a formula called "Smith's Cremation Jelly" created by Dr. Frederick Smith. However, we found no trace of a person with this name or even of his lubricant. As for the name of the product in question, the term "Cremation" literally means "incineration" in French, which seems ill-suited for a treatment dedicated to lubricating the intimate area!
Intimate lubricant works best on living bodies.
Similarly, when we ask the AI where to get intimate health products online in France, some of the brands listed do not sell them. Others sell them, but they are of poor quality. Finally, the tool recommends the seller pharmacie-du-web.com, a site that simply does not exist. Same problem when we ask where to buy products to relieve pain during intercourse, out of five sellers listed, only Amazon.fr sells this type of reference.
List of e-shops where you can get care
intimate, according to ChatGPT.
Sometimes incomplete solutions proposed
While the ChatGPT tool generally offered us solutions that were adapted to the problem raised, it should be noted that it also sometimes overlooks effective means that could change the reader's life. For example, when we ask it which products to use to relieve sexual pain during penetration, the AI does mention lubricants, anesthetic gels or moisturizing ovules, but does not say a word about external sex toys that can give orgasms by focusing on the vulva and clitoris area, dilators or even sexual comfort rings such as the Ohnut , which is a missed opportunity from our point of view.
Our conclusions on the interest of artificial intelligence for your intimate health
Like everything in life, artificial intelligence has its good and bad sides. Specifically, when the questions are asked with great precision or when they concern perfectly established things, such as anatomy, there is no problem. On the subject of sexual pain or intimate hygiene, the answers have also been relatively satisfactory, although they lack precision.
On the other hand, there is sometimes some vagueness regarding the anatomical areas mentioned between the vulva, the vagina and the perineum. In addition, some products that reduce pain during intercourse are not mentioned even though they could be of great help to the person in pain. Finally, there are various inaccuracies in terms of the information given.
In short, artificial intelligence is great for those who know how to use it. But, when it comes to sexual health, it is still preferable - as ChatGPT has clearly pointed out - to turn to professionals in this field rather than to a computer tool that does not have all the "cards in hand" to answer you and, above all, reassure you. The subject of pain during intimate intercourse in particular has shown that only specialists in this area can give you relevant and effective solutions to certain problems.
Remember that pain should not be “tolerated”. It is a signal, a communication mechanism of our body that we should not ignore. Suffering without taking action is therefore a very bad idea. If you suffer from dyspareunia or sexual pain, we have only one piece of advice: talk to your partner, a specialist and anyone who can support you. Moreover, for any question that requires medical advice, we strongly recommend that you consult a health professional and not a chatbot!
