Douche Warning for Women

Women with bacterial vaginosis or any vaginal infections should not douche, unless under a doctor's supervision. Even then it should be questioned.



Douching can cause harm because it disrupts the balance of the vagina's natural organisms. It can lead to infection and may also cause an infection to spread to the reproductive tract.



Various international studies show douching is not healthy. Regular douching changes the chemical balance of the vagina and can introduce new bacteria into the vagina that can spread to the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes.



Researchers have found women who douche regularly experience more vaginal irritations and infections such as bacterial vaginosis.



Regular users of vaginal douches also have a 73 per cent greater risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease, a condition that can lead to infertility and death.



Douching is no longer recommended as a safe way to clean the vagina. Let the vagina clean itself naturally with its own mucous secretions. When bathing use warm water and gentle unscented soap to clean the outer area. Don't use feminine hygiene products like soaps, powders and sprays.



So what is the vaginal douche? Well, it's a process of flushing the vagina by forcing water or solution into the vagina to clean it.



Women sometimes don't feel they are clean unless they use them regularly and the system has been used for years.



Some women douche after sex to avoid pregnancy or disease but douching is actually not a preventative measure anyway.



To reduce vaginal odours, as with bacterial vaginosis, using a douche can actually intensify the problem.



The bottom line is do not douche.