A NEW billboard advertising vaginal probiotics has sparked fury for its bizarre message.

Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut – but one brand has now launched a range for the vagina.

But Olly, the manufacturer of the Happy Hoo-Ha product, has described the supplement as 'probiotics for your panty hamster'.

It claims it can support the health of your vagina and it's pH balance.

Taking to Twitter, Dr Jennifer Gunter said the branding was 'clearly something they were proud of', after billboards appeared in the US – with adverts even being seen on cars.

Dr Gunter who is known for myth busting said: "There is no data that shows probiotics improve vaginal health.

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"But the lack of data seems almost minor in comparison with calling a vagina a *checks notes* panty hamster."

The Olly website states that Happy Hoo-Ha 'supports a healthy vaginal microbiome with two vag-friendly strains of Lactobacilli, naturally found in the vaginal tract'.

It also states that the probiotics "deliver a clinically-studied dose, 10 Billion CFUs, of Lactobacillus spp, the good bacteria that work with your body to help keep your vagina happy and healthy."

However, it's important to note that these statements have not been been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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"This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease", the manufacturers state.

Dr Gunter also said the brand were 'vagina cowards' for describing the vagina as a 'Hoo Ha'.

The vagina is inside the body, with the cervix, womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries – the vulva (the bit you can see) on the outside.

The vagina is a tube of about 8cm long which leads from the cervix to the neck to the womb and down to the vulva.

Vaginas help us out with everything from sex to periods and for the most part are self cleaning.

You should only ever use medication for your vagina after speaking with your GP or your gynaecologist.

DELICATE pH

Experts have previously said that your vaginal pH is delicate, and that changes in this can be caused by anything from periods to pregnancy.

Dr Jen added: "Apparently vaginas, sorry panty hamsters, stink according to @OLLYwellness and they promote the lie that probiotics can affect vaginal pH. Unsurprising".

Everyone's vagina can smell different, and you should only really be concerned if it smells a little out of the ordinary.

Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology and uroneurology at University College Hospital, London said: "

"Vaginal odour can change at different times of the reproductive cycle and shouldn't always be thought of as being a sign of infection or illness."

If you feel as though you need to use fragranced products to cover up the smell of your vagina then you should see a GP.

If you have detected a coppery smell then this is usually down to blood and could mean you're about to start your period.

A smell down there is however, usually down to bacterial vaginosis.

'INFURIATING'

It's important to remember that your bacteria down below changes often, so a new smell in most cases, wouldn't be cause for concern – if it's persistent though you should get checked out.

Many Twitter users responded to the Olly billboard – with some questioning the terminology used.

One user joked: "This is infuriating and also absolutely confusing to those of us who make decorative plush hamsters out of panties."

"The word hamster used in conjunction with the whole pelvic area is… A bit not good", another said.

The Sun has contacted Olly for comment.

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