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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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To Douche, or Not to Douche
by Adrienne C., 04.21.00
"Mom, do you ever have that not-so-fresh feeling?" asks an ever-so-curious daughter as they take a stroll down a white, sandy beach bathed in a beautiful sunset. Corny commercial, right?
Not only is it corny, but the product it's advertising is completely unnecessary. The truth is, women do not need to douche.
Douching involves cleaning the vagina with a vinger-water solution to eliminate odors. But the fact is, women are supposed to have a odor to their vulvas. Unfortunately, douche commercials can make women feel like there's something wrong with them if their vulvas have an odor, and douches are commonly sold in convenience stores, drug stores, and supermarkets.
So, what do we have to do?
The vagina actually does not need to be cleaned — it cleans itself! But if a woman feels self-conscious about odor, she can wash her vulva and vagina with water and nild soap that is free of dyes and perfumes. That's it! And if you are sensitive to even mild soaps, then a soft rubbing around the folds of your labia (lips) while soaking in warm water should do the trick. Your main goal is to remove any sweat or bacteria from around the vulva outside your vagina.
What does douching actually do to the vagina?
First, it's important to understand that the vagina is self-cleaning. That's why douching is unnecessary. The vagina gets rid of mucus, semen, menstrual fluid, and old cells that you no longer need. Besides your period, you might notice other vaginal discharges — whitish-yellow secretions that are normal and healthy. Their smell and thickness change throughout your cycle, so it's good to be aware of what's normal for you. They'll change if something is wrong. So, if you're washing these secretions all away with douches, are you really going to be able to tell if something's up? I think not!
A little bacteria on my side ...
Did you know that all healthy vaginas have bacteria and other organisms inside? Yup, but they don't usually cause any harm unless there are too many of one kind at once, which can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria. Regular douching can upset this balance. That's one way women get vaginitis, which is an inflammation of the vagina.
A common symptom of vaginitis is a heavy or unusual discharge that is often grayish and frothy and may have an unpleasant odor. So the cause of the "odor" you wanted to get rid of by douching can actually get worse, make you feel uncomfortable, and cause you to have an even worse odor. If you do have any unusual vaginal symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your health care provider.
My friend told me a story about a girl who douched to ...
There is a lingering myth that douching can prevent pregnancy. Listen up: Douching is in no way, shape, or form a birth control method. In fact, if a woman does douche right after intercourse, it may actually push the sperm further up through the cervix, making it even easier to join with an egg.
What about when I have my period?
Having their period can make some women feel icky. But actually, this is a healthy time for your body because the uterus is shedding the unused lining. All you need to stay clean are tampons or pads and regular bathing. If you really want to douche, use plain water.
As long as you are healthy and bathe or shower regularly, you will simply smell like a woman with a healthy vagina. And there's nothing wrong with that! |
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