Nia Sharma blasted for a vaginal tightening pill ad. Is it even safe?

Sexual wellness has deep roots in ancient India, yet today, many still hesitate to discuss it openly. While millennials and Gen Z are becoming more vocal about their health and desires, boomers and Gen X often shy away from the topic altogether.
However, social media is changing the conversation. Terms like pleasure, contraception, and sex toys are becoming normalised, and more women are actively prioritising their sexual health and needs.
Recently, vaginal tightening pills have gained significant attention, especially after TV actor Nia Sharma collaborated with the brand Vg-3 to promote them. This move sparked considerable backlash, with comments such as “The cheque must be huge for you to promote a product like this,” “This is beyond shameful,” “Are you not embarrassed?” and “Unfollowing for such toxic content” flooding in.
It’s clear that breaking stereotypes requires collective effort. While Sharma’s attempt to address female sexual wellness may have faced criticism, it raises an important question: Are vaginal tightening pills something all women should consider?
First, you must understand that vaginal muscles can become loose over time due to several factors:
“Intimate wellness is essential for women of all ages, as it encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and sexual health. This wellness focusses primarily on sexual and urinary health, areas that can be affected throughout a woman’s life due to hormonal changes during events such as menarche, physical intimacy, childbirth, post-delivery, perimenopause, and menopause,” Dr Sowmya KN, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, tells India Today.
The doctor adds that maintaining healthy sexual and urinary habits is vital in supporting overall well-being, especially as hormonal imbalances, stress, and childbirth can lead to physical and emotional changes like pelvic organ shifts, vaginal dryness, reduced sexual interest, and urinary issues such as incontinence or recurrent UTIs.
Adding to this, Dr Astha Dayal, director, obstetrics and gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, mentions that vaginal tightening tablets claim to be a quick fix for perceived vaginal looseness and improve vaginal elasticity and firmness, often playing on women’s insecurities about sexual performance and body image.
“These tablets typically contain herbal ingredients, such as manjakani and damiana, that allegedly tighten vaginal muscles, enhance lubrication, or improve sexual sensation. They generally claim to restore vaginal tone by promoting collagen production or tightening the tissues,” says the doctor.
Further, Dr Dayal shares that some of these products might create a temporary tightening effect by causing slight swelling or irritation in the vaginal walls, leading to a sensation of tightness, and may offer a temporary placebo effect. However, there is very little scientific evidence to back these claims. Most claims are anecdotal or based on unverified studies.
According to Dr Dayal, the anatomy of vaginal muscles is such that they require proper muscle engagement for strengthening, and tablets cannot substitute for this.
Moreover, the herbal or chemical compounds in such pills can alter the natural pH balance of the vagina, increasing the risk of infections or irritation, or could cause allergic reactions or other side-effects.
They may also disrupt the vaginal microbiome, leading to an increased risk of infections such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or even more severe complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Vaginal muscle tightening pills may come with potential side-effects (Photo: Getty Images)

Additionally, these products may have unregulated ingredients and quality control and could have potential interactions with medications or unknown long-term effects.
Meanwhile, discussing the safety of such tablets, Dr Sowmya KN states, “While some products may provide temporary relief or tightening effects, the effectiveness and safety of vaginal tightening tablets are not universally proven. It’s always advisable to approach these products with caution. Consulting a gynaecologist before using any such medication is highly recommended to ensure it suits your individual health needs and avoids any unwanted side-effects.”
While considering any vaginal tightening methods, you should always consult your doctor so they can evaluate the safety and potential interactions with other medications or health conditions. If you are planning to take tablets, ensure the product does not contain harmful or allergenic ingredients, and monitor for side-effects.
If any irritation, itching, or discomfort occurs after using such products, stop immediately and consult a doctor. Even if a product claims to be safe, frequent use could disrupt the natural vaginal flora, increasing the risk of infections.