TeenHealthFX - Answers - What Is A Douche For And When Do You Use It?

Vaginal Discharge, Infections, & Odors and Douching / Question
Published: June 17, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

What is a douche for? Do I have to use it?

Signed: What Is A Douche For And When Do You Use It?

Dear What Is A Douche For And When Do You Use It?,

Douching is a process where the vagina is cleaned with a vinegar-water solution. Sometimes antiseptics and fragrances can be a part of a douche solution. Douche comes in a bottle or bag and is sprayed upward into the vagina through a tube. There are many reasons women may choose to douche. Some douche to eliminate odors, others douche in an attempt to prevent unwanted pregnancies or the spread of STDs. But the fact is that, depending on the reason for its use, douching is either unnecessary or simply doesn’t work in the way the user hopes it will.

Facts About Douching And The Female Body:

· The vulva is supposed to have a certain smell to it. This is normal and natural and douching is not needed to remove this smell.

· The vagina is actually self-cleaning – so douching is unnecessary to clean it. When you have your period or are secreting vaginal discharge, this is the vagina’s way of getting rid of mucus, menstrual fluid and old cells that are no longer needed.

· Significant changes in menstrual flow or vaginal discharge could indicate a problem. If a person is washing away secretions with a douche, it would be difficult to notice any signs of a problem or make a diagnosis.

· Healthy vaginas have bacteria and other organisms inside. They are of no harm unless the normal balance of vaginal bacteria is off. Regular douching can upset this balance and increase a woman’s chance of having some type of vaginal infection.

· Douching is one way that women can get vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina.

· Sometimes myths have circulated that douching can help prevent pregnancy. It is important to know that douching is NOT a form of birth control. In fact, douching after intercourse may actually push the sperm further up through the cervix, making it even easier to join with an egg. So never use douching as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

· Women who douche have a 73% greater chance of getting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

· For women trying to get pregnant, douching can increase the risk of eptopic pregnancy by as much as 76%.

· Douching at least once a week has been linked to an increase in cervical cancer.

· Douching may increase a women’s chance of becoming infected with an STI as the process of douching can push STI causing pathogens deeper into the female genital tract, as well as by flushing semen up the cervix.

· Douching is particularly bad when you have a yeast infection as it can spread a yeast infection up through the cervix and into the uterus.

What Does Need To Be Done?

· The vagina does not need to be cleaned – it is able to clean itself. If a woman is self-conscious about any odor, all she needs to do is wash her vulva and vagina with water and mild soap (preferably a soap that is free of dyes and perfumes).

· When you have your period, all you need to stay clean are tampons and/or pads, and regular bathing – you don’t need to douche.

· Taking a bath or shower regular basis is all you need to do when it comes to keeping your vagina clean.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that women should avoid douching. They recommend that if you have any concerns about strong odors or other issues with the vaginal area to see a doctor right away as it may be the sign of an infection or some other type of underlying medical issue.

If you have any more questions about douching or vaginal health, please feel free to write us again or to speak with your doctor. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment. You can also contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood, or call your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

Signed: TeenHealthFX