"When you insert the pencil-narrow tampon-like cup into your vagina and rub for five minutes before sex, you will feel tight. Your man will cling to you in bed like an obsessed lover."
This is the confession of one woman after using what she calls 'miracle' reproductive organ rejuvenating and tightening magic stick.
The magic stick, she said, is made of grounded herbal plants, cost Sh20,000 and is reusable for six months.
Jane Awuor, 44, was introduced to the 'miracle' stick by her friend in 2017.
"In 2015, I first noticed a change in my husband's attitude towards sex. I never spoke to him about it, but sex was just like I couldn't care less," she recounts.
Her husband dodged her by going to bed early and waking up before her.
With fear of losing her husband to another woman, she decided to seek help on how to tighten her vagina to reignite bedroom affairs.
"A friend introduced me to the product and linked me to the supplier. I did not hesitate. My friend was using it and it worked for her. That was enough proof," she said.
Jane, a mother of three, now boasts of a happy marriage.
"My husband really enjoys getting intimate with me. At its worst, even having sex six times a day isn't enough. I feel 18 again."
As a woman, keeping your groin game in top shape is an age-old struggle. For centuries, there have been many ways devised for ‘keeping it tight’.
For instance, women in the 1990s used leaves that were crushed and inserted into the vagina several hours before coitus.
Natural remedies are still widespread in Kenya. Women still use garlic for vaginal 'maintenance'.
In June, a woman took to social media to seek a remedy for her itching and discharge private area.
She attracted an avalanche of comments. Out of the 900 comments, almost half advised her to insert garlic into her genital area and the symptoms would disappear.
Forget the natural methods, there are a variety of products on the market, and the methods themselves are more chemical-based.
The Star sought to find out other unconventional ways women have turned to for 'secondary virginity'.
WONDER POWDER
The wonder powder is popular with young girls from 17 years, according to a source.
"It is very cost-effective. It cost Sh2,800 and can last you three months. Very many young ladies have turned to it, especially campus girls," she said.
The powder, peddled as Mbambu powder or Pink Taco, reportedly 'tightens vaginas'. It is sold online by entrepreneurs who have infiltrated Facebook groups.
In one of the closed groups on Facebook, a seller posted an image of Pink taco, captioning it, “If you need to tighten your vagina, get this and you will thank me later.”
The post was filled with inquiries about the price and how to contact the seller.
Some women went on to ask for usage directions, ignoring the comments by those warning them against use.
Curious to get more information about the product, the Star phoned the seller.
On making a call, the seller says she's out of the product until she receives her next consignment in a week.
The seller admits she does not know the ingredients but insists it is "all-natural".
"It is purely herbal. Real medicine comes from the ground, not the labs," she said.
"The product is working wonders. That's why they keep coming back for more powder. After a week, we deplete our stock of Pink Taco. Women literally scramble for it."
The seller says Pink Taco is used by inserting the clear crystal chunks substance into the reproductive system 40 mins to 1 hour before having intercourse.
She says feeling a tingling sensation means the 'herbs' are working.
"I can assure you the man will propose to you and give you everything you need," she said.
She, however, said she cautions her customers against addiction and overdose.
"I always caution customers not to depend on it. A dose, which costs Sh2,800, can be used for three months. Some ladies use it for three nights."
PILLS
Nairobi's River Road, a bustling area with a reputation for prostitution, black market goods and crime, has become a hub for illicit beauticians. They provide pills to tighten the birth canal.
The 'beauticians' often sit outside their booths, hissing at passing women to attract customers.
One says, "Sasa, Mrembo. Dawa ya kutengeneza uko down iko. Ukitumia utakuwa tight kama rubber band. Bei tutaongea, hatuwezi kosana. (Hello beautiful, products to tighten your vagina are available. We will negotiate the price)."
The Star followed one of the sellers to her booth to negotiate the price. In the booths, the tightening pills are hidden.
"Hizi hatuwekangi kwa display, zinatuleteanga ngori na officials. (We do not display these tightening products for they may land us in trouble)," she said.
She said they can identify potential customers on the streets then pitch it to them.
"For this product, we don't hiss out loud to every lady passing. We look at those who look sophisticated and aware (wale wamechanuka)."
She removed a pack of six tablets. The packet was plainly written "vagina tightening pills" in bold.
"This is the magical pill. They are six tablets. You should take one pill daily in the evening."
The pack retails at Sh6,000.
STONES
The urge to feel small down there after giving birth several times drove Mary Awuor, a banker, to Ngara to buy vagina-tightening stones.
"I was told by friends that certain women hawk stones whose ash has the ability to rejuvenate vaginal muscles," she said.
Commonly known as Mawe ya mama (Stone for women), it retails at Sh100.
"It is a tiny piece of rock, which I bought for Sh100. I was asked to crush it and put a little of the ash in my birth canal the night before meeting my boyfriend."
Mary says she has never looked back. It is the best decision she ever made.
"I caution people not to use too much because it will corrode your vagina wall," she shyly chuckled.
TOOTHPASTE
Kate Ndinda is a 29-year-old married mother of one who doubles up as a closet sex worker.
She uses toothpaste for 'maintenance' and the tightening remedy.
She opened up that her husband's genital is large and stretches her muscles. She later turns to toothpaste to manage her main tool of the trade.
“This is business and I have to provide quality for my clients or they will look for younger women,” she giggled.
MEDICAL ADVICE
Kenyatta National Hospital gynaecologist Allan Ikol discourages the use of products to tighten the private area.
"Any foreign body introduced in the vagina is called douching and we (gynaes) do not advise it," he said.
Ikol said turning to products to tighten the vaginas is risky as it predisposes the body to infections. The products tamper with the vagina's normal PH.
"When an imbalance in pH occurs, bad bacteria can grow and you can develop irritation, odour and infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection for menstruating women," he said.
Research shows that a normal vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. However, what constitutes a “normal” pH level can vary slightly based on your stage of life.
For example, during your reproductive years (ages 15 to 49), your vaginal pH should be below or equal to 4.5. But before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy pH tends to be higher than 4.5.
An acidic vaginal environment is protective. It creates a barrier that prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying too quickly and causing infection.
A high vaginal pH level — above 4.5 — provides the perfect environment for unhealthy bacteria to grow. Having a high vaginal pH puts you at risk of bacterial vaginosis infection.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial overgrowth condition that causes a “fishy” odour, along with an unusual grey, white or yellow vaginal discharge. It can also result in vaginal itchiness and burning during urination.
Women with BV are at increased risk of contracting Human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus and HIV, according to Healthline report.
Consultant gynaecologist Vanessa Mackay said, "It is a myth that toothpaste will tighten the vagina."
Adding, "Putting toothpaste into the vagina, or on the vulva, would not only be uncomfortable but it could also cause serious damage and disrupt the natural flora of the vagina, leading to the potential for infections like bacterial vaginosis and thrush."
