Symptoms include a grayish discharge…. Vaginal gas occurs when air becomes trapped in the vagina. While it can cause embarrassment for the women experiencing it, vaginal gas is common and….
The vagina and the female orgasm are a mystery to many. Find out how the female sex organs work together to cause sexual arousal and satisfaction. What is a douche? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Overview Safety Risks Is douching necessary? Alternatives Preventing odor A douche is a device used to introduce a jet of water to the inside of a part of the body so that it can be washed.
Why are douches used? Is douching safe? Risks of douching. Share on Pinterest There are some risks with douching including infections and cervicitis. Is douching necessary? Alternatives to douching. Preventing vaginal odor. These myths include:. Remember that the vagina has built in, self-cleaning abilities. Experts agree that douching is unnecessary and in many cases, may even be harmful.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Sexual Health. Reviewed: July 16, Medically Reviewed. But is it good for them? The Drawbacks of Douching The vagina is a self-cleaning organ.
But, studies have found that douching is linked to many health problems. 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. Researchers are studying whether douching causes these problems or whether women at higher risk for these health problems are more likely to douche. 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:. 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. 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.
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. Douching with vaginal wipes, soaps, and perfumes raises the pH level of the vagina.
An elevated pH means that the healthy flora of the vagina may struggle to survive, while harmful bacteria begin to thrive. This elevated pH level caused by vaginal douching can cause immediate health problems for a woman, including:. Douching can also put women at risk for longer-term health problems. In fact, the US Department of Health and Humans Services notes that women who douche are more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease. Douching can send the harmful bacteria of these infections higher into the reproductive system.
Often, women can have chlamydia or gonorrhea without having any symptoms. Women who douche also have an increased likelihood of developing pelvic inflammatory disease PID. PID can cause long-term pain in the pelvic region and increase a woman's chances of ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Some research suggests that even if a woman who douches regularly doesn't have PID, she will still take longer to conceive than women who don't.
Douching at least once a week has also been linked to a possible increased chance of developing certain types of cancer — including cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.
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