Vaginal douches: everything you need to know
We often hear about vaginal douches (synonymous with vaginal douches or vaginal douches) and in a decidedly improper way, causing misinformation. For this reason it is essential to clarify what they are, what function they have and what the consequences are for those who use them.
The showers, which we find mentioned in many discussions on social networks or in forums, are in a nutshell washing inside the vagina . In the pharmacy you can buy vaginal irrigators which are usually used for vaginal lavages prescribed for certain types of inflammation.
However, most women who apply this practice do it for other purposes without knowing that they can cause problems or not be absolutely effective in avoiding an unwanted pregnancy .
Most experts strongly discourage women from washing inside the vagina, let’s see why.
Why it is good not to do vaginal douches
Washing inside the vagina can change the balance of bacterial flora and modify the natural acidity present in a healthy vagina.
The acidic environment , created thanks to a balanced vaginal bacterial flora , protects the vagina from infection or irritation.
Frequent douching/douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to a candida infection or bacterial vaginosis .
If you already have a vaginal infection, doing this type of washing can push harmful bacteria into the uterus, tubes and ovaries, increasing your chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease , a condition that can lead to serious problems.
What health problems are vaginal douches related to?
They are mainly 5:
- Bacterial Vaginosis: This is a vaginal infection. Women who do vaginal douches often (once a week) are five times more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis than women who don’t.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, a disease of the reproductive organs often caused by a sexually transmitted infection.
- Problems during pregnancy, including preterm birth and ectopic pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections including HIV
- Vaginal irritation or dryness.
Are vaginal washes useful for eliminating intimate odors?
No, douching is not necessary to eliminate vaginal odors or other problems such as itching or burning.
Talk to your gynecologist, midwife or doctor if:
- you have a foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- you have thick white or yellow-green vaginal discharge, with or without an odor
- you have burning, redness and swelling around the vagina
- you have pain when urinating
- you have pain during intercourse
These symptoms may be a sign of a vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection .
It is also necessary to avoid doing these washings before visiting the gynecologist because they can make the diagnosis of any pathologies difficult.
Do the showers serve to improve intimate hygiene?
No, you don’t need douches to cleanse the vagina. Indeed, vaginal washing increases the possibility of infection.
The body autonomously produces mucus which also has a protective and “cleansing” action on the vagina.
When you take a bath or shower, clean the outside of the vagina with warm water and specific non-aggressive detergents. Remember that even the most delicate soaps can cause dryness and irritation to those with the most sensitive skin.
If you smell very different than usual, it means that something is wrong and you need to talk to your doctor or midwife.
Can showers before or after sex prevent the transmission of a sexually transmitted infection?
No. Douching removes some of the bacteria that normally live in the vagina and which can protect against infection.
Therefore washing can increase the risk of infection by these sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Does taking a shower after intercourse help me avoid pregnancy?
No. It should never be used as a birth control method. There are many valid and effective solutions to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
If you have had unprotected casual intercourse or if the condom has broken and you strongly fear pregnancy, contact your doctor for emergency contraception.
Do vaginal douches interfere with fertility?
Yes. Douching can make it more difficult to get pregnant and can cause problems during pregnancy.
- It has been seen that women who practiced douching at least once a month take longer to get pregnant than those who do not do vaginal douching.
- Showers increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Douching increases the risk of preterm birth which, in turn, increases the risk of health problems for the mother and baby.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.