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2005-05-30 22:24:32 UTC
That was an intro to a TV commercial. Corny, right? It's just another
marketing gimmick to get women to buy another "feminine hygiene
product." Like we need any more! If it's not tampons now in more
varieties than you can count, then it's panty liners, panty liners with
wings, pads, maxi-pads, long, extra-long. . . you get the point.
But those products are necessary, unlike the product that commercial is
talking about that deals with douching, which is spraying a special
solution (usually a water/vinegar mixture) into the vagina. As a former
health educator, I thought douching was history, but the bulk of
questions I am still asked proves this to be a misconception.
And women do this because. . .
Society is quite the blabbermouth when it comes to personal hygiene;
however, sexual hygiene barely gets a whisper. The truth is, women do
not need to douche. Being clean does not require obliterating any and
all body odors; we are supposed to have a natural, genital odor.
Unfortunately, douche products are still found in supermarkets,
convenience stores, and drug stores, so the uninformed are commonly
confronted with the issue: to douche, or not to douche.
So, what do we have to do?
You have to simply wash gently between the folds of the vulva with warm
water and mild soap. 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
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. I can't
tell you how many times I have heard this one. Let's get this straight.
A woman can get pregnant even if she douches. OK? Got it? Good. Douching
is in no way, shape, or form a birth control method. And 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 wash regularly, you will simply smell
like a woman with a healthy vagina. And there's nothing wrong with that!
marketing gimmick to get women to buy another "feminine hygiene
product." Like we need any more! If it's not tampons now in more
varieties than you can count, then it's panty liners, panty liners with
wings, pads, maxi-pads, long, extra-long. . . you get the point.
But those products are necessary, unlike the product that commercial is
talking about that deals with douching, which is spraying a special
solution (usually a water/vinegar mixture) into the vagina. As a former
health educator, I thought douching was history, but the bulk of
questions I am still asked proves this to be a misconception.
And women do this because. . .
Society is quite the blabbermouth when it comes to personal hygiene;
however, sexual hygiene barely gets a whisper. The truth is, women do
not need to douche. Being clean does not require obliterating any and
all body odors; we are supposed to have a natural, genital odor.
Unfortunately, douche products are still found in supermarkets,
convenience stores, and drug stores, so the uninformed are commonly
confronted with the issue: to douche, or not to douche.
So, what do we have to do?
You have to simply wash gently between the folds of the vulva with warm
water and mild soap. 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
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. I can't
tell you how many times I have heard this one. Let's get this straight.
A woman can get pregnant even if she douches. OK? Got it? Good. Douching
is in no way, shape, or form a birth control method. And 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 wash regularly, you will simply smell
like a woman with a healthy vagina. And there's nothing wrong with that!