Basically, there is no benefit in douching. Commercial and store bought brands of vaginal cleaners are a huge “No-no: According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), douching upsets the natural balance of acids, vaginal flora and other natural organisms in a healthy vagina. Surprisingly enough, according to WomensHealth.gov, douching is common among women in the United States. An estimated 20-40% of U.S. women aged 15 - 44 yrs douche regularly. Nearly 50% of said women douche every week. Research shows that women who douche regularly have more health problems than women who do not.
Yeast Infections and Douching
Douches should be avoided, period. Douching may make a woman more prone to vaginal infections. In addition, douching can spread existing vaginal infections up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This includes candida or yeast infection. Douching removes the natural yeast fighters the female body produces and may in fact worsen internal conditions that promote yeast growth.
What are the Dangers Linked to douching?
Health problems linked to douching include:
vaginal irritation
vaginal infections called bacterial vaginosis or BV
sexually transmitted diseases (STD s)
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
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 STD s, BV, and PID can all lead to serious problems during pregnancy. These include infection in the baby, problems with labor, and early delivery. Douching may simply be more common in groups of women who tend to have these issues.
Douching Myths
Many women have misconceptions of the benefits of douching. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, douching does not prevent pregnancy after intercourse. As mentioned previously, however, it may prevent a wanted pregnancy later in life.
Douching does not prevent STD s after sex. Practicing safer sex will dramatically decrease your risk of getting these diseases. You can greatly reduce your chances of getting an STD in the following ways:
using latex condoms or female condoms every time you have sex
avoiding contact with sores on the penis or vagina
preventing the exchange of semen, blood, and vaginal secretions
For More Information
You can find out more about douching by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662.
The information provided above is not intended to substitute or disclaim medical care by a licensed health practitioner or physician. Information serves only as an educational tool. Much of the information was cited and based on information by the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.