ABSTRACT
The vulva’s higher capacitance, or skin hydration, leads it to have a higher friction coeffi cient, µ, which can be measured by the Newcastle Friction Meter. The vulva has a higher friction coeffi - cient at 0.66 ± 0.03, compared with the forearm at 0.48 ± 0.01 (7). This higher friction coeffi cient leads to increased vulva skin friction irritation from mechanical trauma, such as occlusion, clothing, sexual activity, and moisture occlusion from incontinence, which increases skin moisture, resulting in an even higher friction coeffi cient (7,8). Of note, the higher incontinence-related friction coeffi cient comes even more onto the front stage in postmenopausal women who suffer from vulvar skin atrophy in addition to incontinence issues, predisposing them even more so to increased vulvar irritation and dermatitis (9).
