What Is Douching?

It is a washing or cleaning out of the vagina using water or a mixture of other liquids. Douching is often perceived as a way of cleansing the vagina and is typically done by women as a form of personal hygiene. Douching is sometimes seen as a reliable contraceptive method, but this is not true.

Douching was initially used by medical practitioners in the 19th century to treat disease and to protect against the transmission of venereal infections. However, the use of douching for medical purposes has lost popularity in modern times.

Dangers of Douching

Although douching has recently grown in popularity and is often seen as a form of vaginal hygiene and odor control, health care professionals consider it to be dangerous and ill-advised. Since a healthy vagina contains bacteria, douching can actually damage the balance of bacteria in the vagina, throwing off the natural pH and potentially leading to infection.

Douching can also increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor in pregnant women and can make it harder for your healthcare provider to correctly diagnose infections and other conditions due to the imbalance of bacteria. It can even increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. Additionally, douching does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections, and in fact, can increase the risk of infection.

It is highly recommended not to douche, but if you do, don’t overdo it. Use plain water, or if you must, use a mild, non-medicated soap. Avoid any products that contain chemicals, fragrances, or deodorants. Limit douching to no more than once a month and never douche immediately before or after intercourse.

Conclusion

Overall, medical professionals widely agree that douching is not only ineffective, but can also be potentially dangerous, so it is best avoided. Even when it comes to vaginal odor, douching will not solve the problem, as it can make the smell worse. The best way to keep your vagina healthy and odor-free is by maintaining proper hygiene, using soft, unscented soap and warm water. If you are still concerned about odor, see a healthcare professional for a check-up and advice.