Douching is the process of washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. It is a method used by some women for personal hygiene, to address unpleasant odors, wash away menstrual blood, prevent pregnancy after intercourse, or avoid getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, health experts do not recommend douching for these purposes, as it can actually increase the risk of infections, pregnancy complications, and other health problems.
Advantages of douching:
- Some women say douching makes them feel cleaner.
Disadvantages of douching:
- Douching can increase the risk of vaginal infections, such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, by disrupting the vaginas natural pH balance.
- Women who douche more than once a week may have more difficulty getting pregnant.
- Douching is linked to an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause long-term pain in the pelvic region and increase a woman's chances of infertility.
Researchers are still studying whether douching causes these problems or if women at higher risk for these health issues are more likely to douche. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health both recommend that women do not douche.
