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Although douching was once a common practice, it has fallen out of popular use in recent years as doctors typically recommend against it. Studies show that douching can cause bacterial infections and infertility issues, making it a less-than-perfect cleaning method. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source If, however, your doctor has suggested that you douche, follow the steps below to do it correctly and safely. We’ve also interviewed board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Cindy Basinski, who offers her expert insight on the best ways to care for your vagina and vulva.
Steps
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Know that your body cleans out vaginal discharge, blood, and semen on its own. Many women douche in order to clean themselves after a period, rinse out vaginal discharge, or to clean out semen after sex. The great thing about the human body though, is that it is built to do these things on its own: “the vagina is a self-cleaning organ that needs no cleaning,” states Dr. Basinski. The vagina cleans itself without douching, meaning that you don’t have to refer to man-made soaps and rinses in order to keep your vagina in healthy, working condition. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source
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Douche at your doctor’s suggestion. The last few years of studies have offered up important research that shows that douching can be more harmful than beneficial to your body. The vagina naturally cleans itself with its high acidity and natural mucous, which douching removes. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source As a result of douching, you are more likely to suffer from a yeast infection or other bacterial infection. [4] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source Talk to your doctor before you decide to douche, and do so at their discretion.
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Don’t douche to remove itching or burning sensations. Some women feel like they need to douche in order to get rid of itching or burning they feel near or inside their vagina. These are symptoms of an infection though, and douching simply covers them up. Rather than trying to wash away these symptoms, meet with your doctor and explain what you’re experiencing. [5] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source
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Don’t douche to remove a strong odor. Although the vagina may have a very mild, constant odor, if you are experiencing a strong odor (outside of your menstrual cycle), it is likely a symptom of a possible infection. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Instead of trying to rinse out the odor, talk to your doctor and ask for their advice. They may or may not support the idea of douching, but it is best to go to them first rather than possibly making things worse.
- Most doctors, as Dr Basinski affirms, will remind their patients that “they don’t need to do anything to their vaginas…you actually shouldn’t do those kinds of things because you may upset the pH of your vagina and actually increase your risk for either bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.”
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Don’t douche in attempts to prevent STDs or pregnancy. Douching is not an alternative to a condom or other contraceptive; its primary goal is to ‘clean’ the inside of the vagina. Therefore, don’t douche in attempts to prevent an STD/STI or pregnancy after sex, as it will be ineffective. [7] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source
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Wash the outside of your vagina as an alternative to douching. If you are concerned about keeping your vagina clean and odor-free in general, stick to washing the outside of your vagina instead. Use a mild soap and warm water in the shower or bath to remove any sweat or grime that might have built up on the outside of your vagina and vulva, instructs Dr. Basinski, while your body does the work of cleaning the inside on its own.
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Choose a douching product. Look through the available douching products at your local drugstore to choose an option that looks best for you—most products are sold as a prepackaged mix of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. [8] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source Avoid any solution that contains scents or dyes, confirms Dr. Basinski, as these are much more likely to cause irritation or infection.
- Some people choose to create their own homemade douching solution or otherwise attempt to clean their vagina with vinegar. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Then, they buy a squeeze bottle at the store for application. However, doctors still recommend against douching with homemade solutions, same as they do with store bought douche kits. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Prepare the douching solution. If you bought a kit at the store, follow the box directions to prepare the douching solution it came with. Typically, store bought douche solutions contain an antiseptic solution and a bag or bottle to help distribute it. [11] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you are choosing to make your own douching solution at home, mix one part vinegar with one parts water. [12] X Research source However, keep in mind that doctors recommend against douching with vinegar and douching in general. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Fill the squeeze bottle or douche pouch with the solution. Follow the directions on the box to do this, or simply pour the solution into the squeeze bottle. If all of the solution doesn’t fit in the bottle, fill it as high as you are able and then add the rest later. Secure the lid or nozzle onto the bottle or pouch, being careful not to spill any of the contents. [14] X Research source
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Get into the shower or bathtub. Douching isn’t the messiest thing in the world, but it could be under certain circumstances. To prevent spilling any of the solution, get into the shower or bathtub for the entire process. [15] X Research source You’ll likely want to shower or bathe afterwards anyway.
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Rinse the vaginal cavity using the squeeze bottle. Insert the tip of the squeeze bottle or douche pouch into the vagina (no more than 3 inches (76 mm)) and squeeze it to release the fluid. [16] X Research source Continue rinsing the inside of the vagina until you have used all the available fluid.
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Wash the outside of the vagina. Use a mild soap and warm water to wash the outside of the vagina as you would normally during a shower or bath. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Your goal now is to wash off any of the douching solution left on the exterior of your vagina. The douching solution is relatively harmless on any other part of your body, so rinse it off if it comes into contact with anything else but don’t worry about it too much. However, keep in mind that the chemicals in over-the-counter douches may irritate or inflame sensitive skin, including the skin on your vulva and inside the vaginal canal. [18] X Research source
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Finish cleaning up. Follow up with any post-douching cleaning activities you deem necessary. Clean out the douching pouch or squeeze bottle thoroughly and let it air dry completely before storing it for later use. [19] X Research source Clean up anything else you might have made a mess with while concocting your solution.
How Do You Wash Your Vagina?
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat about rinsing the vagina with just water?AbigailAbernathyTop AnswererThis is the better option to douching. Douching can lead to infection, as it disrupts the vagina's natural pH balance.
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QuestionIs it necessary to use feminine wash everyday?Community AnswerNo. Find what works for you. Everyone's body is different.
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QuestionAfter douching in the shower do you need to scrub the tub?Community AnswerNo, that isn't necessary.
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Tips
- If you use a douche pouch and the plastic tip, don't force it too far in or make it hurt. You shouldn't feel anything but warm water running down. [20] X Research sourceThanks
- You don't need to try to "hold in" the solution. The water mixture is meant to naturally come back out through your vagina. [21] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to sourceThanks
- Use the solution only once when it's fresh (within an hour of mixing) and discard any leftover. [22] X Research sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Do not use normal body soap to clean the inside of your vagina. This will irritate your vagina and harm the helpful bacteria. It's okay to use soap on the area outside your vagina.
- If you're using an antibacterial douche, follow up with a probiotic and eat a lot of yogurt to ensure your vagina maintains the right amount of good bacteria.
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Warnings
- If the solution you prepare burns when you begin, stop immediately and wash with pure water. Ingredients used in douche products like vinegar, iodine, and antiseptics may cause burning and irritation inside the vagina. [23] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to sourceThanks
- Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience pain, burning, itching, or spotting in or around your vagina. [24] X Research sourceThanks
- If you have an infection, seek medical attention right away. [25] X Trustworthy Source US Office on Women's Health U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health Go to source Do not try to treat it only by douching, which may make the infection worse. [26] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about feminine hygiene, check out our in-depth interview with Cindy Basinski, MD .
References
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567125/
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17905-vaginal-odor#possible-causes
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4807032/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/douche
- ↑ https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Douching.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=46f59721-0d24-4b42-ab3b-b250744da1e3
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=46f59721-0d24-4b42-ab3b-b250744da1e3
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=46f59721-0d24-4b42-ab3b-b250744da1e3
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-odor/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050664
- ↑ https://uihc.org/health-topics/contact-dermatitis-vulva
- ↑ https://www.burnettfoundation.org.nz/articles/sex/your-guide-to-anal-douching/
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=46f59721-0d24-4b42-ab3b-b250744da1e3
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=46f59721-0d24-4b42-ab3b-b250744da1e3
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/i-have-a-burning-sensation-in-my-vagina-whats-going-on
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- ↑ https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567125/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To douche for feminine hygiene, first prepare a douching solution by mixing 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Alternatively, purchase a douching kit from your drug store if you don’t want to make your own solution. Pour the solution into a squeeze bottle before getting into the shower or bath tub. Then, place the tip of the bottle inside your vagina and squeeze the solution out. After you’ve finished cleaning inside your vagina, wash the outside with a mild soap and water. Finish by cleaning the douche bottle and the bath tub if you spilt any of the solution while douching. For tips on how to know when it’s a good time to douche, keep reading!
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