Vaginal Douching

By: Tsou Jinyeu

Total Views: 67, Word Count: 572,

Douche means to wash or soak and douching means washing or cleaning. A douche is used to introduce a stream of water into the body for medical or hygienic reasons. It is also called as vaginal irrigation, rinsing the vagina or rinsing any body cavity for that matter.

Reasons for vaginal douche:-

1. Clean the vagina and surrounding
2. Rinse away blood after periods
3. To get rid of vaginal odors
4. Prevent pregnancy
5. Vaginal infections
6. Clean vaginal discharge
7. Vaginal itching

Douche may consist of:-

1. A stream of water often with some medicine or cleansing agents is applied to the vagina or any body cavity for hygienic purposes
2. An instrument for application of the liquid
3. Only water
4. Water mixed with vinegar
5. Water and some antiseptic
6. Air douche is used to open the Eustachian tube

Dangers of vaginal douching:-

1.    Many doctors say that douching is dangerous as it interferes with the vaginas natural cleaning process. It also interferes with the natural bacterial culture of vagina and may cause vaginal infection

2.    It may lead to bacterial vaginosis and pelvic infection

3.    Affect the PH of vagina and cause yeast infection

4.    Douching can spread the existing infection to the uterus or fallopian tube and ovaries

5.    It may cause vaginal irritation

6.    May increase the probability of Sexually transmitted diseases

7.    May be the cause of Pelvic inflammatory disease

8.    Cause fertility problems sometimes

Alternative methods to clean the vagina:-

1.    It is best to let the cleaning happen naturally. Natural cleaning involves production of mucus in the vagina. There is no need to douche to clean the vaginal discharge, blood or semen

2.    Regular washing with warm water and mild soap while bathing is the best method of cleaning. This will help you to keep the outer part of vagina clean.

3.    You should avoid vaginal sprays, tampons, powders with strong fragrance near the vagina. It may lead to vaginal irritation and vaginal infection 

Vaginal odor and douching:-You should keep in mind that a clean and healthy vagina also has some vaginal odor. Douching does not prevent odor but only covers it. In case of vaginal odor if you have any doubts, consult your doctor and check for some bacterial infection, yeast infection or urinary tract infection

Vaginal douching and pregnancy:-

1. Douching does not prevent any pregnancy as it is not a means of birth control. It may in fact facilitate pregnancy as it may push the sperms further up into the vagina and cervix
2. Vaginal douching may increase chances of ectopic pregnancy and be life threatening if left untreated

Vaginal douching is done by many women to get rid of vaginal odor, vaginal itching, vaginal discharge or wash away blood. There may be many reasons for vaginal douching but it may cause vaginal infections and may not provide proper feminine hygiene.

About the Author

 Dr Tsou Jinyeu is a well known gynecologist and has been in this field since 1995. His special interests are – genetic and birth defects, high risk obstetrics, lupus in pregnancy, premature labour, premature delivery, triplets and ultrasound diagnosis. He is graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Nowdays he is working as a medical doctor at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health.

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