Vaginal Douche
(Douching)
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
How common is douching?
Douching is common among women in the United
States. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of American women aged 15 to 44
years douche regularly. About half of these women douche every week.
Is douching safe?
Most doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) suggest that women steer clear of douching. All healthy
vaginas contain some bacteria and other organisms called the vaginal flora. The
normal acidity of the vagina keeps the amount of bacteria down. But douching can
change this delicate balance. This may make a woman more prone to vaginal
infections. Plus, douching can spread existing vaginal infections up into the
uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
What are the dangers linked to douching?
Research shows that women who douche
regularly have more health problems than women who do not. Doctors are still
unsure whether douching causes these problems. Douching may simply be more
common in groups of women who tend to have these issues. Health problems linked
to douching include:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's uterus, Fallopian
tubes and/or ovaries. It is caused by bacteria that travel from a woman's vagina
and cervix up into her reproductive organs. If left untreated, PID can cause
fertility problems (difficulties getting pregnant). PID also boosts a woman's
chances of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the
Fallopian tube instead of the
uterus). Some STDs, BV, and PID can all lead to serious problems during
pregnancy. These include infection in the baby, problems with labor, and early
delivery.
Next: Should I douche to clean inside my vagina? »
- Natural Methods of Birth Control - Natural methods of birth control are non-mechanical and non-hormonal. They are also considered fertility awareness methods and there are a variety of choices for natural birth control.
- Yeast Infection - Learn about vaginal yeast infection symptoms like vaginal burning, itching, soreness discharge, and pain during sex and urination. Treatment information is included in the information.
- LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) - Learn about Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), a procedure done to remove abnormal tissues of the cervix. LEEP is used to treat mild to moderate dysplasia.
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