27 Aug Vaginal Douching and the Douche bag.
INTRO.
“Hello Doc, is douching bad ?”
“Hi Doc, I don’t feel clean down there,what do I need to do?”
“….when he goes down on me he makes this face of disgust, it’s embarrassing”
Arrrrrggggghhhhh! I just can’t deal no more.
These questions and lots more are frequently asked by women; in fact most ladies make allusion to it in one way or the other. I really must have missed the ceremony where I became a consultant Gynaecologist with special interest in vulvovaginal issues.
Fact is there seem to be this unsettling myth about the apparent “uncleanliness” of the vagina making rounds among the female folks, and the need to keep it “clean”…whatever that means.
In a bid to indulge this myth and keep the Vagina “clean” most people resort to douching.
Question: Is douching a safe or harmful practice? Is there even need for it …????
DEFINITION.
Douching is the practice of using liquids,usually under pressure [eg squirting fluid from a nuzzle], to wash out the vagina.The liquid mixtures usually used is a blend of water and vinegar; and sometimes peroxide,iodine and sweet smelling flavours are thrown in especially for the commercial preparations.
For self made preparations, water mixed with some form of soapy substance is usually used.
WHY DOUCHE…?
Among the various reasons people douche, the chief reason appears to be the “paranoia” born of the afore mentioned “myth of vaginal uncleanliness”; hence douching is seen as a way of cleaning the vagina, and in some cases giving it a sweet smelling scent.
Other reasons for douching include:
-To wash off menstrual effluent post menses.
-To wash off semen post sex as a surrogate to contraception[to prevent pregnancy].
-To relieve the symptoms of vaginitis.
-To prevent STIs [Sexual Transmitted Infections] after sex.
-As a treatment for vaginal infections.
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF DOUCHING.
Douching is a harmful practice that leaves a whole truck load of adverse health implications in its wake.
Most of these adverse effect result due to the following reasons:
Douching alters the unique acidic milieu of the vagina consequently tipping the balance of its microbial ecology; the protective normal vaginal flora thus gives way to harmful organisms.
The fluid used for douching while being pushed into the vagina mechanically dislodges organisms from the vagina and “jets” them into the cervix,uterus and the fallopian tubes where they constitute some gynaecological nuisance.
The above two acting in concert along with other factors predisposes to the following health hazards :
-Bacterial vaginosis
-Vaginal candidiasis
-Pelvic Inflammatory disease
-Infertility
-Ectopic pregnancy [ pregnancy with the baby growing outside the womb]
-Preterm labour and premature delivery when practiced in pregnancy.
-Studies also shows that there’s possible association with higher risk of Cancer of the cervix.
-Acquired gynaetresia , a condition in which the vagina is “burnt” by caustic substances, forcing it to gum together leading to painful sex and in extreme cases inability of the penis to penetrate at all at all …i.e chaa chaa.
-Etc.
WHY NOT DOUCHE?
Apart from the above listed health implications, douching is unnecessary. This is as the vagina is a self-cleaning organ, a fiat it is able to carry out by means of the “NORMAL” vaginal discharge which are actually secretions from vaginal and cervical glands.
This “normal discharges” mechanically washes the vagina continuously keeping it “clean”.
Also a group of harmless organisms in the vagina called Lactobacilli species prevent overgrowth of harmful microbes by virtue of their physical presence, and also produce acid which keep the vagina “sterilized” to a reasonable extent.
Apart from the self-cleaning function of the vagina which totally makes douching unnecessary, the reasons for douching are mostly fallacious claims. This is so as douching does not:
…prevent pregnancy
…treat infection
…prevent Sexually transmitted infection Etc.
So why risk so much for nothing …????
WHAT TO DO
In situations of genuine vaginal “dirtiness”, manifesting as a foul smell, abnormal discharge or itching, one should consult a doctor in order to receive the appropriate treatment.
#Dont be a Douche bag!!!
No Comments