A douche is a device that contains water and is used to flush out or cleanse a body cavity, often the vagina. Some douches contain ingredients such as vinegar, citric acid, sodium benzoate, and other chemicals. The primary use of douches is by women to wash the vagina, but it's important to note that douching has not been shown to achieve the aims of getting rid of vaginal odor, preventing pregnancy, washing away bodily fluids, or reducing the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. In fact, douching can have negative effects, such as removing good bacteria from the vagina, changing its pH balance, and allowing bad bacteria to multiply, which can lead to infections, irritations, and more severe complications
. Some specific douching products, such as Summer's Eve Medicated Douche, contain ingredients like citric acid, edetate disodium, purified water, sodium benzoate, and sodium lauryl sulfate
. Another product, Summer's Eve Extra Cleansing Vinegar & Water Douche, contains water, sodium chloride, vinegar, citric acid, and sodium benzoate
. It's important to note that the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology state that women should not use douches, as the vagina is self- cleaning and douching can mask underlying health problems and make them worse
