Why You Do Not Ever Need to Douche

Many of us are in a constant battle with body odor. We are showering, using scented body wash and then layering on deodorant and fragrant body lotion, all in the name of smelling fresh and clean.

And when it comes to vaginal odor, you may have been told that douching is a necessary form of hygiene for your vagina. But it isn’t.

You might be surprised to learn that this practice of cleaning your vagina with a solution may be doing more harm than good. But it is.

Women’s health nurse practitioner Molly Gumucio, CNP, explains why we should avoid douching and the best way to keep “down there” clean.

What is vaginal douching?

“Douche” is a French term that means “wash” or “shower.” Vaginal douching is when you insert a solution into your vagina to flush it out to clean it, explains Gumucio.

You may have come across douching kits online and in stores. They typically contain an antiseptic solution and a bag or bottle to help distribute the solution at a high pressure. Usually, douching involves making a mixture of water, vinegar, baking soda, soap and fragrances to create a “cleaning solution” for your vagina.

This mixture is then added to a bag or bottle and inserted into your vagina. The idea is that by squeezing the bottle or bag, the solution flows into your vagina, “flushing” it out.

What is the purpose of douching?

Most proponents of douching are doing so because they think it helps them keep their vagina clean. They also claim that it helps eliminate any odor and prevents infection. But it doesn’t.

“Often, people choose to douche because they don’t feel clean,” notes Gumucio. “They might have an odor and they’re trying to get rid of it.” She adds that some people also douche to “clean” their vaginal area after menstruation or sex.

Is douching safe?

We’ll get straight to the point. Douching isn’t safe, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists doesn’t recommend it.

“Douching removes the good bacteria and the good flora that is naturally in your vagina,” explains Gumucio. “And then, when your body goes to reproduce more of those bacteria, it overproduces, which can lead to an infection.”

Much like your gut has a microbiome filled with different bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses, so is your vagina. About 50 different microbes are living inside of your vagina. And if those microbes get out of balance, it can cause problems like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.

BV is an infection caused by the overgrowth of your normal vaginal bacteria and can cause an amine, or fishy odor. A yeast infection happens when candida, a type of yeast, is out of balance in your body.

Both types of infections can cause a vaginal discharge, while a yeast infection can also cause an itchy sensation, redness, swelling and a burning feeling when you urinate.

Is douching with water only OK?

Although it may seem like a gentler option than using a solution, douching with just water is still not recommended. But this is a safer option if you must. Just remember, this act of douching still involves putting a foreign substance into your vagina, which can cause irritation, the removal of healthy bacteria and disruption of your PH balance.

In fact, Gumucio cautions about over-washing the area too much, too. Cleaning down there during your daily bath or shower is fine. But avoid cleaning your genitals multiple times a day, as it isn’t necessary.

Now, let’s talk about how you should keep your vaginal area clean and healthy.

What to do instead of douching

It’s simple: Just clean the area outside your vagina with soap and water. No flushing or high pressure necessary. And opt for a soap that’s gentle and sensitive.

And where you clean is important, too. Most people tend to think of all their genitals as their vagina. But, in fact, the outside area is known as your vulva, which includes your clitoris, urethra and labia. Use your hands or a soft washcloth to gently spread your labia and clean the area.

Your vagina itself is a muscular canal located mostly inside your body, with an opening that’s part of your vulva. There’s no need to use soap or water on the inner part of your vagina.

“People tend to clean their vaginal area and vulva too often,” shares Gumucio. “Try to avoid using scented body wash and just stick to warm water and gentle soaps that usually don’t strip away all those good bacteria and flora.”

And don’t be tempted to buy and use feminine hygiene powders, sprays or wipes to keep you fresh. “Some of the over-the-counter products can tend to make your symptoms worse or irritate your skin,” she adds.

When to see your doctor about vaginal odor

If you’re having vaginal odor and your symptoms persist for more than a week, then it’s time to call your doctor.

Some symptoms may include:

• Smelly vaginal discharge
• Pain during urination
• Discomfort or pain during sex
• Redness, burning and or swelling in or around your vagina and vulva

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may take a sample of your discharge to test. They may prescribe antibiotics, which can be taken as a pill or applied as a cream.

But if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, then rest assured that there are no special steps you need to take to keep your vagina and surrounding areas clean. A less-is-more approach will do the trick.

“Our vaginas are self-cleaning,” reassures Gumucio. “It is something that we really do not need to take extra special care of. Just showering once a day using warm, soapy water to clean your vulva is sufficient.”