Vaginal Douche
(Douching)

• What is douching?
• Why do women douche?
• How common is douching?
• Is douching safe?
• What are the dangers linked to douching?
• Should I douche to clean inside my vagina?
• What is the best way to clean my vagina?
• My vagina has a terrible odor, can douching help?
• Should I douche to get rid of vaginal discharge, pain, itching, or burning?
• Can douching after sex prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
• Can douching after sex stop me from getting pregnant?
• Can douching hurt my chances of having a healthy pregnancy?

What is douching?

The word "douche" means to wash or soak in French. Douching is washing or cleaning out the vagina (also called the birth canal) with water or other mixtures of fluids. Usually douches are prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. Women can buy these products at drug and grocery stores. The mixtures usually come in a bottle and can be squirted into the vagina through a tube or nozzle.

Why do women douche?

Women douche because they mistakenly believe it gives many benefits. In reality, douching may do more harm than good. Common reasons women give for using douches include:

• to clean the vagina
• to rinse away blood after monthly periods
• to get rid of odors from the vagina
• to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• to prevent pregnancy

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Yeast Infection - Learn about yeast infections (yeast vaginitis), including the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Source:MedicineNet Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Read about urinary tract infection (UTI) causes (in men, women), symptoms, treatment (antibiotic medicine), recurrent bladder infection prevention (cranberry) and FAQ. Source:Government Bacterial Vaginosis - Learn about bacterial vaginosis, an infection which symptoms include an odorous vaginal discharge. The vaginal odor may be fish like, and grey in color. Treatment is necessary with antibiotics. Source:MedicineNet Read 13 more Vaginal Douche (Douching) related articles ... Health Tip: Traveling During Pregnancy Health Tip: Keeping the Caregiver Healthy Lowering Dietary Fat May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer Acne Drug Prevents Tissue Damage From Emphysema Hot Flashes Reduced by Neck Injection Health Highlights: May 15, 2008 Embryonic Pathways Induce Stem Cell Traits New Laser Approved to Treat Psoriasis Genes Play Part in Prostate Cancer Among Races Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Dry Dog Food