Women and Douching

Most doctors recommend that women DO NOT douche.

Douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (bacteria that live in the vagina) and natural acidity in a healthy vagina.

A healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria.

The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment.

The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation.

Douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

This can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

If you already have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria causing the infection up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious health problem.

Douching is also linked to other health problems.

Source: U.S Dept of Health