What Is A Douche? Usage, Safety, And More - Healthline

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What Is a Douche and Is Douching Safe?Medically reviewed by Michael Charles, M.D. — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on August 12, 2017

Function
Safety
Risks
Cleaning tips
Seek help
Prevention
Takeaway

Vaginal douching is washing the vagina to eliminate odors and “clean” it. Common ingredients used with water include vinegar, baking soda, iodine, antiseptics, and other fragranced products. These can cause burning, irritation, and other complications.

One in five women between the ages of 15 and 44 use douches regularly.

A 2002 survey found that the practice is more common in African-American and Hispanic women. In addition, one study found that teenagers of all ethnicities and races are more likely to douche.

Find out safe ways to get rid of vaginal odor.

How does it work?

To perform a vaginal douche, a mixture of water and other ingredients is placed in a bottle or bag. The mixture is then sprayed or squirted upward into the vagina. The fluids then wash out of the vagina.

Common reasons women report they use a douche include:

eliminating unpleasant odors
preventing pregnancy
washing away menstrual blood after a period or semen after sex
avoiding a sexually transmitted infection

Douching doesn’t accomplish any of these things.

Is it safe?

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology doesn’t recommend women use douching products. Your vagina is designed to naturally maintain a healthy pH balance. It’s filled with bacteria, or vaginal flora, that help stop infections and prevent irritations.

If you remove or greatly reduce the number of healthy bacteria in your vagina, problematic bacteria may flourish. That can lead to infections, irritations, and more serious complications.

Risks of douching

If you douche, you may upset your vagina’s natural environment. You could end up dealing with complications that can be quite severe. These include:

Pregnancy problems

Women who douche regularly are more likely to experience early childbirth, miscarriage, and other pregnancy complications. Using a douche can also lead to an ectopic pregnancy, and women who use douches may have a difficult time getting pregnant.

Infections

A healthy balance of bacteria prevents vaginal yeast from overgrowing. Eliminating the natural balance may let yeast flourish. This can lead to a yeast infection.

Likewise, a woman who douches is five times more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis than a woman who doesn’t.

Some women use douches hoping that washing the vagina will eliminate a vaginal infection. Douching may make an infection worse. Douching while you have a vaginal infection may also spread the infection to other parts of your reproductive system.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that develops in the reproductive organs. Most cases of PID are caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Douching increases a woman’s risk of PID by 73 percent. One in eight women with a history of PID have difficulty getting pregnant.

Cervicitis

Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix. Like PID, cervicitis is often the result of STIs, but women who douche are also more likely to develop this condition.

How to safely clean your vagina

The easiest way to clean your vagina is to perform a simple wash during a bath or shower. Soap isn’t necessary, but if you’re going to use one, make sure it’s mild and not heavily scented. Fragrances and chemicals can irritate the sensitive skin of your genitals.

With one hand, form a V with your first two fingers to hold back the outside skin and spread out the folds of your vagina.
Use warm water to gently splash the area several times. Wash with a mild soap if you want to use it. Don’t scrub the folds harshly, and avoid getting soap inside your vagina.
Gently rinse the area with water until all the soap is removed.
Using a clean towel, pat the area dry.

When to see a doctor

A natural vaginal odor is normal, as is some discharge. A few signs may indicate you have a more serious problem and need to see a doctor. These include:

vaginal discharge with a strong smell
vaginal discharge that is white or yellow-green
vaginal odor that is persistent and doesn’t end after a few days
burning, itching, and redness or swelling in or around the vagina
pain or discomfort during sex
pain during urination

How to prevent vaginal odor

All vaginas have a natural odor. Each woman’s odor is different, and the natural odor can change over time. Likewise, events like exercise or sex can change your vagina’s natural odor temporarily.

Still, you can reduce the risk of developing strong odors with a few simple steps.

Practice proper hygiene

Gently wash your genitals regularly. Avoid using soaps that could irritate the sensitive skin.

Wear breathable fabrics

Excess moisture around the genitals and vagina can increase odors and lead to infections. Wear undergarments made from 100 percent cotton, which is breathable and can wick away sweat and other fluids. Satin, silk, and polyester fabrics don’t allow for adequate air flow and may boost bacterial growth.

Use deodorizing products carefully

Sprays and powders may help mask vaginal odor, but don’t use them inside your vagina. They are only safe on the outside of your vagina.

Don’t use harsh cleansers

Don’t use harsh cleansers like douches in your vagina. They can upset your vagina’s pH balance and cause irritation and infections.

Takeaway

Your vagina is self-cleaning. It’s designed to eliminate semen, blood, and other fluids through natural discharges. You don’t need to clean it with harsh washes.

If you’re experiencing an unusual odor or discharge, don’t use a douche to eliminate it. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor. Regular douching may mask or hide underlying problems. It can also lead to serious complications down the road.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Centers for Disease Control andPrevention. (2017). Pelvic inflammatorydisease (PID) - CDC fact sheet [Fact sheet].https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
Douching. (2017).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
Fertility, family planning, and reproductivehealth of U.S. women: Data from the 2002 national survey of family growth.(2005).https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_23/sr23_025.pdf
Markham CM, et al. (2007). Factors associatedwith frequent vaginal douching among alternative school youth. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.05.022
Martino JL, et al. (2008). Vaginal douching:Evidence for risks or benefits to women’s health.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567125/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Cervicitis:Definition.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervicitis/basics/definition/con-20026738
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Vaginitis:Self-management.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginitis/manage/ptc-20258751
Office on Women’s Health. (2015). Douching [Fact sheet].https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/fact-sheet-douching.pdf
Ott MA, et al. (2009). Beyond douching: Use offeminine hygiene products and STI risk among young women. DOI:http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01152.x?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1
Ross E. (2015). Feminine odor problems? Whatevery woman needs to know.https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/03/feminine-odor-problems-what-you-should-know-about-douching/
Vulvovaginal health. (2015).https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Vulvovaginal-Health

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Medically reviewed by Michael Charles, M.D. — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on August 12, 2017

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