VaginalĀ douchingĀ is defined by medical researchers as “the process of intravaginal cleansing with a liquid solution”.
Although the practice of that process has declined recently,Ā douchingĀ is still very common in theĀ United States. A 2002 National Institute of Health research study onĀ douchingĀ found that about 25% ofĀ American womenĀ douchedĀ on a “regular” basis.
But is douching bad for women?
Why do women use douches?
Women give various reasons forĀ douchingĀ with aĀ feminine hygieneĀ product. Among those are:
- Preventing pregnancy
- Eliminating vaginal odors
- Washing away menstrual blood
- Preventing sexually transmitted infections
Does douching actually work?
All the available scientific evidence clearly shows thatĀ douchingĀ accomplishes absolutely none of the aforementioned goals. Instead,Ā douchingĀ can lead to anĀ increased riskĀ of some very negative outcomes.
A brief history of vaginal douching
DouchingĀ dates back to ancient societies. But it really came into its own in the 19th century when doctors began to prescribe it, both for cleanliness and as aĀ formĀ ofĀ birth control. (Incidentally,Ā douchingĀ is totally ineffective, both as a cleansing agent and as a method ofĀ birth control.)
- In 1829, the British medical journalĀ The LancetĀ recommended thatĀ women doucheĀ with tepid water “six or eight times in the course of the day”.
- In 1832, an American doctor named Charles Knowlton published his 64-page treatise, “Fruits of Philosophy, or the Private Companion to Young Married People.” In it he boldly declared that sex could provide more than children.
- Knowlton recommended thatĀ women doucheĀ after sex with “sulfate of zinc, alum, or any salt that acts chemically on the semen.”
- By the 1920s,Ā LysolĀ disinfectant was being subtly marketed as a contraceptiveĀ douchingĀ agent.
- In 1930,Ā Lysol’s toughest competitor, Zonite, launched its ownĀ antisepticĀ douche. As a result, Lysol, believe it or not, was advertised as a douching product as well.
Douche manufacturers resort to body-shaming women to sell their products
We all know that body shaming can be used as a sales technique. Indeed, the history of douche advertising stands out as a pioneering example of body shaming as a marketing tool.
Advertisements for douches generally focused on a young wife whose husband is on the verge of walking out because she has āneglected herĀ feminine hygieneā.
It didnāt (and still doesnāt) seem to matter that douching products are not only useless but often harmful.
Douching linked to very harmful side-effects
That 2002 NIH study mentioned above reported an association between women whoĀ douchedĀ and:
āā¦many adverse outcomes includingĀ pelvic inflammatory disease,Ā bacterial vaginosis,Ā cervical cancer, low birth weight, preterm birth, human immunodeficiency virus,Ā sexually-transmitted diseases,Ā ectopic pregnancy, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and infertility.āĀ
Why is douching bad?
Simply put,Ā douchingĀ can destroy the balance between good bacteria and natural acidity that is necessary for a healthy vaginal environment. A goodĀ vaginalĀ flora/acid balance protects the vagina from infections and inflammation.
DouchingĀ can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can causeĀ yeast infectionsĀ orĀ bacterial vaginosis.
If a woman already has aĀ vaginal infection,Ā douchingĀ can push the bacteria causing the infection higher up, into the uterus,Ā fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead toĀ pelvic inflammatory diseaseĀ (PID). PID is a seriousĀ health problem.
AndĀ douchingĀ can create complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth andĀ ectopic pregnancy.Ā
Whatās the takeaway on vaginal douching? Donāt do it!
As noted by the Office onĀ Womenās Health: āMost doctors recommend that women do not doucheā.
Your vagina doesnāt need cleansing products. Like a modern oven, itāsĀ self-cleaning. Itās designed and plumbed to eliminate semen, blood, and other fluids through natural healthy methods.
Never use a douche asĀ birth control, or to eliminate an unusual odor orĀ vaginalĀ discharge. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor.Ā Know that a healthy vulva needs only to be washed with mild soap and warm water.
About Dr. ThaĆÆs Aliabadi
As one of the nationās leading OB-GYNs,Ā Dr. ThaĆÆs AliabadiĀ offers the very best in gynecological and obstetric care. Together with her warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi supports women through all phases of life. She fosters a special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. PleaseĀ click hereĀ to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863-6700.
We take our patientsā safety very seriously. Our facilityāsĀ Covid-19 patient safety procedures exceed all CDC and World Health Organization recommendations. Masks are required in our office at all times during the coronavirus pandemic.
The practice ofĀ Dr. Thais AliabadiĀ and theĀ Outpatient Hysterectomy CenterĀ is conveniently located to patients throughout Southern California and theĀ Los AngelesĀ area. WeĀ are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, WestĀ Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and DowntownĀ Los Angeles, to name a few.