to douche or not to douche? that is the question....?

Question

There are obgynes that recommend vaginal douching as part of a woman's personal hygiene routine. So, i bought a douching apparatus and it really felt great cuz i felt so clean. then, recently, a friend of mine said that her obgyne advised her to avoid douching cuz it only causes more problems. so, which is which? help me please...

please note that i do not have a medical problem, and i do use it only after my menstrual cycle. previously, i used a vaginal douche solution, and it said it helps improve the ph balance inside the vagina.

I.

there are doctors that recommend this method. in fact, a friend of mine who used to work in japan, showed me an apparatus that her doctor in japan recommended. it comprises a rubber hose, and a long nozzle attached to one end. the nozzle has holes around it and is elongated. my friend said that everytime she takes her morning shower, one end of the hose is connected to the faucet. she runs the faucet with lukewarm water and inserts the nozzle into her vagina. she does this everyday for at least 3 minutes. reactions??? by the way, the apparatus was sold to her personally by the doctor...

Answer 1

I am 53 years old and have a great deal of experience in the field of women's health. I have worked in Pregnany Counseling Centers and talked to countless womem about every aspect of their reproductive health. In that time I have NEVER heard of a single health care practitioner who would recommend douching to a woman. It is unhealthy and unsanitary. The vagina has a natural cleansing process. Unless you have some sort of medical problem that causes you to need a medicated douche, it is never recommended. Douching upsets the natural alkaline and acidic balance in the vagina and can lead to infections. Some of the ingredients in douches can cause allergic reactions.
If for some reason it is something that you feel you must do then be sure you use just plain sterile water and vinegar. If you think about it why would anyone want to smell like vinegar anyway? But it is the only thing that is really safe and without side affects.
Women have been taught ( usually by men) that there is something innately dirty about their female body parts. It is one of the things that men like to do to make us feel self conscious about our sexuality. Frankly I think that most men should quit worrying about the way WE smell and do some washing of their own.
Sorry, this is just one of those things that really ticks me off.
If you shower regularly and if you are a basically clean person (and if you do not have an infection) you will not have an unpleasant smell or taste.
BTW, just for "nice to know" information, you know that "fishy" smell that is the root of so many male jokes about women? It comes from introducing sperm to the vagina. If you think about it that way, they are the ones that cause it!
Take care of yourself hon.
Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 2

I had this same kind of deal a few years ago and after talking to doctors here is what I have come up with...
Douching seems good and can make you feel clean but our bodies have a natural process to clean itself from that time of month. You can douche during particularly gross times and be okay but to do it every time it will stop your bodies natural process of cleaning itself and mess with the lining of your vaginal wall.
My doctor, who explained it like this, told me do it some times if you feel you NEED too but if you dont then it would be best to let your body care for itself.
When I thought about it, it made seance to me because douche is a recent thing and I dont like to over medicate or anything like that. I would better let my body do its thing and let it stay balanced.
I will say during that time I do shower more though.
Oh and plus now Always has come out with the wipes that are with the pads, if that helps. I know a lot of girls are tampon users.
Anyways...if you must get a third and fourth opinion from doctors. Be sure about it, this is your body.

Answer 3

A douche is a bag packed with water, and now and lower back different cleansing fluids that girls persons use to bathe their vagina. Its usually no longer a stable thought to apply one, it may reason issues, and the vagina is self cleansing. And dont call human beings douche luggage. Its stupid and makes little or no sense in maximum circumstances. Its like calling somebody a vagisil wipe. Gosh.

Answer 4

Don't douche! A woman's vagina cleans itself naturally! Douching strips the vagina of all it natural mucus not only making your vagina dry, but it makes it more prone to bacterial infections because douching throws your bacterial fighting PH balance levels off.

Just don't do it! Especially if you're sexually active...don't douche because like I said, it causes your vagina to become very dry! That just plain hurts and doesn't feel good at all!

Answer 5

where did you find a such messed up doctors...there are no doctors that recommend routine douching for hygiene. its not hygienic is bad for your body really bad. if you had a doctor that recommended it i suggest you find a new one. maybe get the name of the one your friend sees and go to them. your friend is correct. douching can remove the good healthy bacteria and lead to infects such as yeast or bacterial infects. removing the healthy organisms that live there natural opens a gate to let the bad stuff take over. douching is very bad don't do it. your body cleans its self. if you feel dirty or have foul odor it is an infection and you need to see a doctor douching will only make it worst.

Answer 6

It depends. Many people using not just as a cleaning regimen, but also if they wish to have intercourse on their period. For this purpose (once and a while), it is fine. Otherwise, avoid it. Yes, it does clean and get rid of odour, which is nice, but your vagina is self-cleaning and messing with it can alter bacteria levels and essentially, your vagina will lose its' effectiveness to clean without douching. It's true it can cause other health issues, such as bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. I would stay away from it.

Answer 7

It is probably best not to douch, the lining of the vagina is sensitive and will become inflamed and sore possibly leading to bouts of thrush. The vagina is apparently self cleaning and is slightly alkaline, I would advise just to keep the outside area clean.

Answer 8

My doctor says NO!! A douche can upset the natural ph balance or "flora" of the vagina.

Answer 9

I heard they can cause infection in used too much because you also destroy good bacteria that keep you healthy and also alter the protective acidity of the vagina.

Answer 10

This is a personal choice. My doctor always told me not to because it does cause more problems then it's worth. It pushes everything up, and can cause serious infections... Personally I would never use them.