Douche

Douche
A type of vaginal bulb syringe with holes near the tip of the nozzle
Pronunciation/duːʃ/
ICD-9-CM96.44
MeSHD044364

Douche is rinsing out the vagina with water or other types of liquids. Vaginal douching has been done for centuries. It is commonly done. One in five women douche in the US. Doctors recommend that women not douche. Douching changes the normal vaginal pH and vaginal flora weakening the vagina's defenses. This creates to the overgrowth of pathogens. Douching can cause health problems in women. Douching may create problems getting pregnant. Early labor can be the result of douching. Women who douche have more risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and vaginal infections. Douching removes some of the bacteria that normally live in the vagina. Douching increases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility and problems during pregnancy. Douching can be linked to advertising by those making douching products. Douching supplies can be bought from pharmacies, online stores and grocery stores. This makes the supplies easy to find. Some women use douching as to prevent pregnancy. Douching is not birth control.

The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists advises women not to douche.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wireko, Solomon; Ofosu, Mina; Agyemang, Florence; Dankluvi, Herbert Ekoe; Cobbina, Andrews Evans (February 2024). "Vaginal douching and health risks among young women". Health Science Reports. 7 (2) e1882. doi:10.1002/hsr2.1882. ISSN 2398-8835. PMC 10865275. PMID 38357485.
  2. ↑ "Douching". womenshealth.gov. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Douche". www.cancer.gov. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
  4. ↑ Wireko, Solomon; Ofosu, Mina; Agyemang, Florence; Dankluvi, Herbert Ekoe; Cobbina, Andrews Evans (February 2024). "Vaginal douching and health risks among young women". Health Science Reports. 7 (2) e1882. doi:10.1002/hsr2.1882. ISSN 2398-8835. PMC 10865275. PMID 38357485.
  5. ↑ "Is it safe to douche during pregnancy?". www.acog.org. Retrieved 2026-09-03.