The Health Risks of Douching

 

Up to 22% of American women douche, believing it to be an important part of their intimate hygiene. Some women equate the importance of douching with other positive health behaviors, such as brushing your teeth. Other women, desperate to treat a persistent vaginal symptom, such as itching, started douching because they did not know what else to do.

The problem? Douching offer no health benefits and many risks. Douching washes away a very important bacteria, lactobacilli, which is responsible for maintaining the equilibrium of the vaginal ecosystem. Lactobacilli produce hydrogen peroxide and maintain an acidic environment, both of which are natural defense mechanisms against sexually transmitted diseases and yeast. Douching at the end of a menstrual period is especially harmful because this is the time in the cycle when lactobacilli counts are at their lowest.

Women who douche are more likely to get infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as gonorrhea or HIV, if they are exposed. They are at higher risk for infertility, because STDs can scar the fallopian tubes even when there are no symptoms. Douching also increases the risk of cervical cancer, because a healthy vaginal ecosystem is more likely to clear the human papilloma virus (which is the cause of cervical cancer). Ironically, women who douche are more likely to have problems with vaginal odors, because lactobacilli prevent the over growth of odor forming bacteria.

If you are douching because you have a health concern, stop and see your gynecologist. Get a diagnosis and the right treatment.

If you are douching because you think it is a good practice, stop. The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven and does not need any help. You are increasing your risk of STDs, vaginal odor, cervical cancer, and infertility.