Vaginal douching is cleaning the vagina with water or a mixture of fluids to eliminate odors and “wash” the vagina. Most often, vinegar is assorted with the water, but some prepackaged douche materials contain baking soda or iodine. However, a few also hold antiseptics and fragrances.
One out of five women between the ages of 15 and 44 use douches regular basis. A 2002 study found that the practice is more familiar in African-American and Hispanic women. In addition, one survey found that teenagers of all ethnicities and races are severe likely to douche.
However, it may cause side effects such as burning and irritation, as well as several complications. These problems can make any issues you’re trying to cover up, like unusual odor, worse.
How does it work?
To execute a vaginal douche, a combination of water and other ingredients is placed in a bottle or bag. The combination is then spraying or squirting upward into the vagina. The fluids then clean out of the vagina. However, some familiar reasons women report they use a douche may include:-
- Removing unpleasant odors
- Treating pregnancy
- Cleaning away menstrual blood after a period or semen after sex
- Avoiding a sexually transmitted infection (STIs)
Is it safe?
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology does not suggest women use douching outcomes. However, your vagina is normally designed to maintain a healthy pH balance. It is charged with bacteria or vaginal flora that support removing infections and prevent irritations.
However, if you stop or greatly decrease the number of healthy bacteria in your vagina, problematic bacteria may flourish. That can lead to problems like irritations and more serious health complications.
Risk of douching
However, if you douche, you may distress your vagina’s natural environment. You can turn out dealing with complications that can be quite severe. These may include:-
Pregnancy issues
Those women who douche regularly are more likely to feel early childbirth, miscarriage, and other pregnancy difficulties. Using a douche can also guide ectopic pregnancy, and women who use douches may have a complicated time getting pregnant.
Infections
However, a healthy balance of bacteria stops vaginal yeast from over increasing. Reducing the natural balance may let yeast flourish. This issue may lead to a yeast infection. Likewise, a woman who douches is five times severe likely to build bacterial vaginosis than a woman who doesn’t.
However, some women use douches hoping that cleaning the vagina will reduce a vaginal infection. Douching can build an infection worse. Douching while you have a vaginal problem may also increase the infection to other parts of your reproductive system.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
However, it is an infection that builds in the reproductive organs. Severe cases of PID are affected by STIs. Douching raises a woman’s risk of PID by 73%. One out of eight women with a history of PID has complications getting pregnant.
Cervicitis
However, it is inflammation of the cervix. Like PID, it is often the outcome of STIs, but women who douche are also more likely to build this condition.
How to safely wash your vagina?
The easier way to wash your vagina is to perform a simple clean during a bath or shower. Soap is not effective, but if you’re going to take one, make sure it’s mild and not heavily scented. Some fragrances and chemicals can bother the sensitive skin of your genitals.
- With the support of one hand, form a V with your first two fingers to hold back the outside skin and increase out the folds of your vagina.
- Use warm water to gently splash the area many times. Clean with mild soap if you want to use it.
- Gently rinse the vaginal area with water until all the soap is clean up.
- Using a wash towel, pat the area dry.
When to see a doctor
However, a few symptoms may indicate you have a severe serious issue and need to see a consultant. These may include:-
- Vaginal flow with a strong smell
- Vaginal flow that is white or yellow-green
- Vginal odor that is persistent and doesn’t stop after a few days
- Burning, itching, and redness or swelling in or periphery of the vagina
- Pian or discomfort during sex hour
- Pain during urination
How to prevent vaginal odor?
All vagina have their natural odor. Likewise, incidents like activity or sex can change your vagina’s natural odor temporarily. Still, you can decrease the risk of building strong odors with a few simple steps.
Practice proper hygiene
Gently clean your genitals regularly. Stop using soaps that could distress sensitive skin.
Wear breathable fabrics
Severe moisture around the genitals and vagina can raise odors and lead to infections. Wear undergarments made from 100% cotton, which is helpful and can wick away sweat and other fluids.
Use deodorizing products carefully
Sprays and powders can support mask vaginal odor, but don’t use these products inside your vagina. They are only safe and useful outside part of the vagina.
