A vaginal fluid simulant.

A fluid medium was developed to simulate the fluid produced in the human vagina. The composition of the medium was based on an extensive review of the literature on constituents of human vaginal secretions. In choosing the ingredients for this medium, the goal was to emphasize properties that influence interactions of vaginal fluid with topical contraceptive, prophylactic, or therapeutic products. Among these properties, pH and osmolarity play a dominant role in physicochemical processes that govern drug release and distribution.