Douching is washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. In the United States, almost one in five women 15 to 44 years old douche. Doctors recommend that you do not douche. Learn more about why women should not douche.
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What Is Douching?
Safety Shower
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Safety Shower
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What Is Douching?
The word "douche" means to wash or soak. Douching is washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. The mixtures usually come in a bottle or bag. You squirt the douche upward through a tube or nozzle into your vagina. The water mixture then comes back out through your vagina.
Douching is different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower. Rinsing the outside of your vagina with warm water will not harm your vagina. But, douching can lead to many different health problems.
Most doctors recommend that women do not douche.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (6)
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A nurse's handbook of obstetrics, for use in training-schools (1911) (14779070512)
Identifier: nurseshandbo00cook (find matches)Title: A nurse's handbook of obstetrics, for use in training-schoolsYear: 1911 (1910s)Authors: Cooke, Joseph Brown. (from old catalog)Subjects: ObstetricsPublisher: Philadelphia and London, J. B. Lippincott companyContributing Library: The Library of CongressDigitizing Sponsor: The Library of CongressView Book Page: Book ViewerAbout This Book: Catalog EntryView All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.Text Appearing Before Image:he vagina is effectually eliminated. The physician will, ofcourse, instruct the nurse as to the solution to be used for thedouche and its temperature, but in the absence of any definitedirections, as, for example, when he merely leaves word to thenurse while she is out that the patient is to be douched, she maysafely use two quarts of normal salt solution (two drachms tothe quart) at a temperature of no° F. 244 A NURSES HANDBOOK OF OBSTETRICS. The temperature and pulse of both mother and child areto be taken every four hours during the first week and after-wards every night and morning unless the case is not doingwell, when the four-hour record is to be continued. The tem-peratures of both patients are to be recorded on separate charts,to facilitate a clear understanding of the entire record at oneglance. The public is so well educated in the matter of clinical ther-mometry that these charts must be kept out of sight of themother from the very first, so that in the event of any unex-Text Appearing After Image:Fig. 121.—Proper method of introducing douche tube. pected complication she will be ignorant of the amount of herfever and unsuspicious at the withdrawal of the chart from herdaily inspection. A pulse of ioo or a temperature of 100.50 F. is to be re-ported to the physician without delay, as either may indicatethe onset of some serious disorder. Every attention must be paid to the comfort of the patient,for the more nearly normal her case, the more tedious is herconfinement in bed while awaiting the involution of the uterus DIET IN THE PUERPERIUM. 245 and other generative organs. She should be moved from oneside of the bed to the other several times a day, and required toturn frequently from side to side after the first twenty-fourhours. Her personal toilet must never be neglected to the slight-est degree, and her face and hands should be washed and herteeth brushed several times daily. Her hair is to be well brushedand combed night and morning, and this is most easily managedby doinNote About Images
Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original work.
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Studying 'Trich': The STD You Probably Haven't Heard of
Video by Washington State University/YouTube
Eliminate Vaginal Odor Naturally - "The Doctors" Discuss A Healthy Alternative to Douching
Video by WaterWorksHealth/YouTube
Douching: What You Should Know
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Is douching safe ?
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Real Questions - Should I reguarly undertake vaginal douching?
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A nurse's handbook of obstetrics, for use in training-schools (1911) (14779070512)
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia
1:55
Studying 'Trich': The STD You Probably Haven't Heard of
Washington State University/YouTube
4:25
Eliminate Vaginal Odor Naturally - "The Doctors" Discuss A Healthy Alternative to Douching
WaterWorksHealth/YouTube
2:10
Douching: What You Should Know
Vagisil/YouTube
3:29
Is douching safe ?
Sadhguru Satsang/YouTube
0:42
Real Questions - Should I reguarly undertake vaginal douching?
UCLA Health/YouTube
Is It Common?
Illustration of rare disease incidence
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
Illustration of rare disease incidence
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
How Common Is Douching?
In the United States, almost one in five women 15 to 44 years old douche.
More African-American and Hispanic women douche than white women. Douching is also common in teens of all races and ethnicities.
Studies have not found any health benefit to douching. But, studies have found that douching is linked to many health problems.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (2)
Douche for Feminine Hygiene
Video by How To DIY & VR Gaming/YouTube
Why Do Women Douche?
Video by iHeart Media/YouTube
2:39
Douche for Feminine Hygiene
How To DIY & VR Gaming/YouTube
5:48
Why Do Women Douche?
iHeart Media/YouTube
Why Is It Not Recommended?
Woman Inside Bathroom
Image by No Revisions/Unsplash
Woman Inside Bathroom
Image by No Revisions/Unsplash
Why Should Women Not Douche?
Most doctors recommend that women do not douche. Douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (bacteria that live in the vagina) and natural acidity in a healthy vagina.
A healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria. The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment. The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation.
Douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you already have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria causing the infection up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious health problem.
Douching is also linked to other health problems.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Vaginal discharge
Normal cervix and vaginal discharge - Photo of vagina and cervix (with visible IUD strings) during a speculum exam illustrating normal vaginal discharge.
Image by VeeBabzel
#AskTheHIVDoc: To Douche or Not to Douche? (1:02)
Video by Greater Than AIDS/YouTube
VAGINAL DOUCHING | Should You Douche? | FEMININE HYGIENE TIPS | VAGINAL CONCOCTION
Video by LifeAs 2019/YouTube
OBGYN says: Do NOT put these in your VAGINA! | Dr Jennifer Lincoln
Video by Dr. Jennifer Lincoln/YouTube
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Vaginal discharge
VeeBabzel
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#AskTheHIVDoc: To Douche or Not to Douche? (1:02)
Greater Than AIDS/YouTube
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VAGINAL DOUCHING | Should You Douche? | FEMININE HYGIENE TIPS | VAGINAL CONCOCTION
LifeAs 2019/YouTube
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OBGYN says: Do NOT put these in your VAGINA! | Dr Jennifer Lincoln
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln/YouTube
What Health Issues Can It Cause?
Bacterial vaginosis workup
Image by Mikael Häggström
Bacterial vaginosis workup
Workup of bacterial vaginosis, with a pH indicator to detect vaginal alkalinization (here showing approximately pH 8), and a microscope slide to microscopically detect clue cells.
Image by Mikael Häggström
What Health Problems Are Linked to Douching?
Health problems linked to douching include:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is an infection in the vagina. Women who douche often (once a week) are five times more likely to develop BV than women who do not douche.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection in the reproductive organs that is often caused by an STI
Problems during pregnancy, including preterm birth and ectopic pregnancy
STIs, including HIV
Vaginal irritation or dryness
Researchers are studying whether douching causes these problems or whether women at higher risk for these health problems are more likely to douche.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (1)
Bacterial vaginosis
Under a relatively-low magnification of 63X, this Gram-stained photomicrograph of a vaginal specimen revealed the presence of squamous epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), or white blood cells (WBCs), and numerous Gram-positive bacilli, or rods.
Image by CDC
Bacterial vaginosis
CDC
Can It Get Rid of Vaginal Odors?
Arca Zebra Clam
Image by WikimediaImages/Pixabay
Arca Zebra Clam
Image by WikimediaImages/Pixabay
Should I Douche to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor or Other Problems?
No. You should not douche to try to get rid of vaginal odor or other vaginal problems like discharge, pain, itching, or burning.
Douching will only cover up odor for a short time and will make other problems worse. Call your doctor or nurse if you have:
Vaginal discharge that smells bad
Vaginal itching and thick, white, or yellowish-green discharge with or without an odor
Burning, redness, and swelling in or around the vagina
Pain when urinating
Pain or discomfort during sex
These may be signs of a vaginal infection, or an STI. Do not douche before seeing your doctor or nurse. This can make it hard for the doctor or nurse to find out what may be wrong.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Vagina collage 05
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Vagina collage 15
Vagina collage
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Female Experiencing Pelvic Pain
Three-dimensional visualization reconstructed from scanned human data. Lateral view of seated female figure holding abdomen as a result of pelvic pain, with bones, uterus, and vagina visible. Pelvic pain can result from problems such as uterine fibroids (benign muscular tumors of the uterine wall), endometriosis (the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus), vaginismus (uncontrolled spasming of the outer vagina), and dyspareunia, or pain during sex. Dysparenunia is one of the three most common forms of female sexual dysfunction, along with lack of interest in sex and inability to achieve orgasm. The most common form of dyspareunia is vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS), where women are extremely sensitive to sensation on the vulva or surrounding glands, and particularly to penetration.
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Vagina collage 05
Gynodiversity
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Vagina collage 15
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Female Experiencing Pelvic Pain
TheVisualMD
Should I Douche to Clean Inside?
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Prendre une douche
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Prendre une douche
prendre une douche.
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Should I Douche to Clean Inside My Vagina?
No. Doctors recommend that women do not douche. You do not need to douche to clean your vagina. Your body naturally flushes out and cleans your vagina. Any strong odor or irritation usually means something is wrong.
Douching also can raise your chances of a vaginal infection or an STI. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (1)
💦 How to Wash Your Vagina & Vulva | Dos & Don'ts | Wipes Soap Douching | Feminine Hygiene Routine
Video by Dr Simi Adedeji/YouTube
14:27
💦 How to Wash Your Vagina & Vulva | Dos & Don'ts | Wipes Soap Douching | Feminine Hygiene Routine
Dr Simi Adedeji/YouTube
Can It Prevent STIs?
HIV Rotation
Image by TheVisualMD
HIV Rotation
The most common test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detects antibodies produced by the immune system that attack foreign particles like HIV. These antibodies are identifiable because they are tailor-made to match specific features of the virus. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enters the body through sexual transmission, blood transfusion with infected blood, or, in the case of drug addicts, a shared needle contaminated by the blood of another user. HIV antibodies can be detected between 3-8 weeks after exposure to the virus.
Image by TheVisualMD
Can Douching Before or After Sex Prevent STIs?
No. Douching before or after sex does not prevent STIs. In fact, douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you from infection. This can actually increase your risk of getting STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (2)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Medical visualization of an anterior close-up view of a human papillomavirus (HPV) capsid, the virus responsible for genital HPV infection, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Incurable and often asymptomatic, genital HPV infection is spread through genital, skin-to-skin contact, causes genital warts, and can lead to cervical cancer, as well as some cases of anal, rectal, and penile cancer. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, and more than 30 of these are transmitted sexually; however, only a small subset of those are cancer-causing. Pap smear testing is used to detect abnormal cells caused by genital HPV infection that could lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. A vaccine is being developed that could prevent initial infection of some of the more dangerous strains.
Image by TheVisualMD
Trichomoniasis
Purulent discharge from cervical os, due to Trichomonas infection : This was a 1986 case of Trichomonas vaginitis revealing a copious purulent discharge emanating from the cervical os. Bright blurs near edge of photo are from out-of-focus speculum.
Image by CDC / ID 5241
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
TheVisualMD
Trichomoniasis
CDC / ID 5241
What If I Didn't Use Protection?
Birth control options
Image by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition/Unsplash
Birth control options
Selection of reproductive health supplies: pills, diaphragm, condoms, vaginal ring, IUD, implant, DMPA, emergency contraception, contraceptive pills.
Image by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition/Unsplash
Should I Douche If I Had Sex Without Using Protection or If the Condom Broke?
No. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you from infection. This can increase your risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Douching also does not protect against pregnancy.
If you had sex without using protection or if the condom broke during sex, see a doctor right away. You can get medicine to help prevent HIV and unwanted pregnancy.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What If I Was Sexually Assaulted?
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Sexual Assault Awareness
Image by U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Ashley L. Gardner/ Released
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Sexual Assault Awareness
U.S. Air Force Airman Jodi Lange, 20th Medical Support Squadron, poses for an illustration photo depicting an abused woman silenced by her abuser as a result of sexual assault, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. March 25, 2012. Studies show that men, women and children of all ages, races, religions, and economic classes can be and have been victims of sexual assault. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Ashley L. Gardner/ Released)
Image by U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Ashley L. Gardner/ Released
Should I Douche If I Was Sexually Assaulted?
No, you should not douche, bathe, or shower. As hard as it may be to not wash up, you may wash away important evidence if you do. Douching may also increase your risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible. The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) can help you find a hospital able to collect evidence of sexual assault. Your doctor or nurse can help you get medicine to help prevent HIV and unwanted pregnancy.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Can It Prevent Pregnancy?
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Sexual Intercourse cross section
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Sexual Intercourse cross section
3D visualization of a male and female engaged in sexual intercourse reconstructed from a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI). As humans become sexually excited, the sex organs prepare for coitus through changes in the circulatory and nervous systems. The brain receives signals from the genitals. The hearts hastens, flooding the arteries, the veins constrict. Blood engorges the erectile tissue of the penis and clitoris as well as the testicles, ovaries and labia minora - two thin folds of integument that lie just inside the vestibule of the vagina. Muscles tense. Nipples stiffen. These effects plateau. In a woman, the outer third of the vagina becomes vasoconstricted, moistening, while the inner two thirds expand slightly and the uterus becomes elevated - all in preparation for receiving sperm. Male preejaculate adds lubrication near the cervix. The involuntary nervous system increases breathing and quicken the pulse. Orgasm occurs with a loss of control, a shuddering release. In men, this occurs in two stages. As the intensity builds, reflex centers in the spinal cord send impulses to the genitals, prompting the smooth muscles of the testes, epididymides and vas deferentia to contract and squeeze sperm into the urethra. It's the filling of the urethra that triggers the muscles encasing the base of the penis to contract and force the semen out. Women's orgasms involve the uterus and the outer vagina, including the clitoris. Once excited, women are capable of multiple orgasms.
Image by TheVisualMD
Can Douching After Sex Prevent Pregnancy?
No. Douching does not prevent pregnancy. It should never be used for birth control. If you had sex without using birth control or if your birth control method did not work correctly (failed), you can use emergency contraception to keep from getting pregnant.
If you need birth control, talk to your doctor or nurse about which type of birth control method is best for you.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Does It Affect Pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from original by BruceBlaus
Ectopic pregnancy
Transvaginal ultrasonography of an ectopic pregnancy, showing the field of view in the following image.
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from original by BruceBlaus
How Does Douching Affect Pregnancy?
Douching can make it harder to get pregnant and can cause problems during pregnancy:
Trouble getting pregnant. Women who douched at least once a month had a harder time getting pregnant than those women who did not douche.
Higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. Douching may increase a woman's chance of damaged fallopian tubes and ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg attaches to the inside of the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. If left untreated, ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. It can also make it hard for a woman to get pregnant in the future.
Higher risk of early childbirth. Douching raises your risk for premature birth. One study found that women who douched during pregnancy were more likely to deliver their babies early. This raises the risk for health problems for you and your baby.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What Should I Do Instead?
Woman Bathing
Image by bruce mars/Unsplash
Woman Bathing
Image by bruce mars/Unsplash
What Is the Best Way to Clean My Vagina?
It is best to let your vagina clean itself. The vagina cleans itself naturally by making mucous. The mucous washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge.
If you are worried about vaginal odor, talk to your doctor or nurse. But you should know that even healthy, clean vaginas have a mild odor that changes throughout the day. Physical activity also can give your vagina a stronger, muskier scent, but this is still normal.
Keep your vagina clean and healthy by:
Washing the outside of your vagina with warm water when you bathe. Some women also use mild soaps. But, if you have sensitive skin or any current vaginal infections, even mild soaps can cause dryness and irritation.
Avoiding scented tampons, pads, powders, and sprays. These products may increase your chances of getting a vaginal infection.
Source: Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (3)
Vaginal Canal Close-Up
Medical visualization of the lumen and rugae of the vaginal canal looking back towards the cervix. Far from being a smooth tube, the vagina contains many folds and ridges. During sexual intercourse the sperm that may be deposited within the vaginal canal will benefit from the pH buffering makeup of semen because the vaginal environment is acidic. The vagina also produces lubrication to make penetration less difficult during intercourse. The vaginal opening, seen in this view in the extreme foreground, tightens involuntarily as intercourse progresses.
Image by TheVisualMD
Vaginal Canal and Cervix and Rugae.
Rugae (of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth.
Image by TheVisualMD
Liquid Condom within Vagina
Three-dimensional visualization reconstructed from scanned human data. Lateral view of liquid condom in vagina; surrounding tissues as well as bladder, cervix, uterus, and rectum can also be seen. The liquid condom (in development) is a gel that hardens upon increased temperature after insertion into the vagina or rectum and blocks sexually transmitted diseases.
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Vaginal Douching
Douching is washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. In the United States, almost one in five women 15 to 44 years old douche. Doctors recommend that you do not douche. Learn more about why women should not douche.