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Encyclopedia of Women’s Health pp 403–405Cite as

Douching

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Douching is the irrigation or flushing of the vagina with plain water, vinegar and water, or other name brand prepared or medicated products. The fluid is allowed to run into the vagina from a bag connected to tubing or is flushed into the vagina from a premixed squeeze bottle. Many women feel this is necessary for good hygiene, “to feel fresh,” or to treat a problem without visiting a medical provider.

Douching has been shown through numerous studies to increase the risk of developing a bacterial infection of the vagina (called bacterial vaginosis or BV). Women who douche increase their chances for developing this infection by 40%. BV is a vaginal infection caused by a loss of lactobacilli, the normal vaginal bacteria that produce hydrogen peroxide and provide protection against other, less healthy bacteria. Symptoms of BV are a creamy gray to yellow, malodorous discharge. BV is a sexually associated condition but is not sexually transmitted. Many women do not realize they have this...

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Suggested Reading

  1. Fiscella, K., Franks, P., Kendrick, J. S., Meldrum, S., & Kieke, B. (2002). Risk of preterm birth that is associated with vaginal douching. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 186(6), 1345–1350.

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  2. Hatcher, R., Trussel, J., Stewart, F., Cates, W., Stewart, G., Guest, F., et al. (1998). Contraceptive technology (pp. 191–192). New York: Ardent Medica.

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Suggested Resources

  1. Warner, J. (2002). Douching linked to vaginal infections: Largest study to date confirms risks. WebMD (On-line): http://my.webmd.com/content/article/51/40784.htm?lastselectdguid_5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348

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Authors
  1. Nancy Myers-Bradley
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© 2004 Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers

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Myers-Bradley, N. (2004). Douching. In: Encyclopedia of Women’s Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48113-0_135

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48113-0_135

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-48073-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48113-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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