To Douche or not to Douche

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2004
To Douche or not to Douche
5
Thu, 03-03-2005 - 11:52am
I have always read that there is no need to douche and that the vagina is perfectly capable of washing out fluids and all you need to do is bath and wash the folds. Also that a douche can actually mess up the balance of bacteria in the vagina and cause problems. I do not douche but my fiance is aways asking me "why don't you douche". I know I am clean and he says I smell and taste fine but it would be cleaner if I douched. He said I would taste better too. I have very little sexual experience and he has been with a lot of women so am I missing something here?. Is it healthy to douche? Do you ladies douche? Do you like it and does it make you feel cleaner? I can see how maybe at the end of your period it coudl maybe wash out all the stuff that just lingers.
Avatar for katmandoo2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-03-2005 - 12:03pm

No, I don't douche. And you don't need to douche, regardless of what your BF thinks. Some men may still believe that it's necessary to get "really clean" but no gynecologist I know still recommends it. Ever. Our vaginas do a great job of removing all the lubrication, dead cells, etc. with the movement of discharge, as long as we practice good hygiene. Introducing anything else changes the PH levels which can make one prone to yeast infections, etc.

Educate your guy about this so he understands that a clean vagina isn't a vagina that smells like nothing. A vagina will always have some odor, and that's the odor of it's owner. Remind him that his genitalia has it's own aroma, as well. If he wants yours to smell like a fruit or flowers, then he needs to buy a flavored or scented lubricant for cunnilingus.

But if you want to feel cleaner, then lie down in the tub and open your legs so the water can flow further into the vaginal opening. Besides that, nonscented mild soap and water are all that's needed to keep your vagina, etc. healthy and squeaky clean.




Edited 3/3/2005 3:30 pm ET ET by katmandoo2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Thu, 03-03-2005 - 12:25pm
No, as Kat said douching is not necessary and ob/gyn's will advise against douching, feminine sprays, powders, deodorants, etc.

bounxh0a-1.gif picture by dillbyrd

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Thu, 03-03-2005 - 12:55pm

Like the others and you know, it can cause problems douching. I must say, if I were you I would tell him to stop asking me to douche or he won't be going near my vagina, much less smelling it.

Leticia

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Thu, 03-03-2005 - 3:32pm

I'll add my vote to everyone else's. Your b/f must have been eavesdropping on his Grandmother when he was a child.

The only thing douching will accomplish is to wash out the "good" bacteria, and leave you wide open for yeast infections.

Your vagina does a great job of keeping itself clean, it doesn't need any help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2004
Fri, 03-04-2005 - 12:38pm
I don't douche EVER! The only time in my life I douched was when I was very young and it was the only time in my life that I had numerous infections(they piggybacked, and looped over and over. I would be clear for about two weeks and then another would flare up.). As soon as I stopped, everything cleared up and I have been infection free for twenty-five years(even while taking antibiotics). Please don't douche. It does nothing but harm.
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