Women douche for various reasons. Many believe it cleans the vagina more thoroughly especially during monthly periods, gets rid of odor, avoids sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevents pregnancy.
Unfortunately there are almost no scientific evidence to the benefits of douching without mentioning its downsides too.
Below is a summarized list of negative effects of douching with supported research gotten from sources cited at the end of this article:
1. Vaginal infections. Three common vaginal infections are linked to douching:
1. a. Bacterial vaginosis (BV). A natural balance of good and bad bacteria resides in the vagina (called vaginal flora or vaginal ecosystem). Douching, though, disrupts this balance and increases chances of BV, causing an unpleasant fishy discharge.
On a survey of 1,200 women conducted by University of Pittsburgh researchers, results showed that in contrast to those who did not douche at all, 40% of women who douched once a month were more likely to develop BV. While BV risk doubled in those who douched weekly.
1. b. Yeast infection. In 2003, a study in Italian hospitals and clinics surveyed 931 women about their douching practices and history of yeast infections. Frequent douching was associated with significantly increased risk.
1. c. Trichomonas. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers tested 3,754 women, aged 14 to 49, for this common vaginal infection caused by amoeba formation. Douching regularly was significantly correlated to this infection.
2. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. A meta-analysis study on vaginal douching has found that women who douche increases PID risk by as much as 73%.
3. Pregnancy complications. Wonder why women are having more complicated pregnancies these days? One factor is our lifestyle and the things we apply to our body.
Based on a study by Washington, D.C. researchers, of 840 couples who were trying to get pregnant, they found that douching more than once a week causes some pregnancy complications. In a period of one year of unprotected intercourse, results showed 90% of women who never douched conceived, but among women who douched weekly, it was lower at 83%.
Douching may also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (fetus grows in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus adding risk to the mother's life) by as much as 76% and pre-term delivery (causing a host of medical problems in the newborn).
4. Cervical cancer. Women who douche are risking themselves of cervical cancer. This conclusion was based on U.S. military researchers’ study of 266 women with douching habits who developed cervical cancer later on. In contrast to non-douchers, those who practiced douching once a week had four times higher chance of obtaining this cancer.
What doctors say...
Gynecologists view douching as hygienically unnecessary. Most physicians also recommend women to stop douching due to above-mentioned links to vaginal complications and diseases.
David Eschenbach, M.D., Professor of Gynecology at the University of Washington said, "The vagina is a self-cleansing organ. With regular bathing, douching is completely unnecessary." Cervical mucus and other natural secretions keep the vagina clean.
Always remember to keep careful watch of substances you apply to your body. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Just a safety reminder.
Because we at rainourish, love your body, naturally.
Sources:
www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.medicinenet.com/vaginal_douche_douching/article.htm
http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-douching-helpful-or-harmful
https://www.healthtap.com/topics/the-effects-of-feminine-wash
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201104/dont-douche-its-very-bad-womens-sexual-health