What do douches do

Washing the outside area — the vulva — with deodorant soap can decrease the natural odor, but it may also dry out the sensitive tissue, so use those products with caution. Some odors may occur due to a health issue.

These odors and accompanying symptoms can arise due to a serious infection like gonorrhea, trichomoniasis , or chlamydia. Bacterial vaginosis , an imbalance of the various kinds of bacteria found in the vagina, can cause discomfort and odor as well. If you have this problem, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, which selectively affects only the anaerobic bacteria bacteria that live without oxygen and leaves the healthy bacteria intact.

Yeast vaginitis is what most people refer to as a yeast infection, but really occurs because of a bacterial imbalance that allows the yeast to flourish. Your doctor will prescribe one of several medications to treat the abundance of yeast and put the natural balance back in place.

Foreign objects like a tampon , condom or toilet paper can sometimes get stuck in your vagina and cause odor or discharge. To remove it on your own, relax your pelvic muscles and try to gently grasp the object. Douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you already have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria causing the infection up into the uterus , fallopian tubes , and ovaries.

This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease , a serious health problem. Douching is also linked to other health problems. Researchers are studying whether douching causes these problems or whether women at higher risk for these health problems are more likely to douche. You should not douche to try to get rid of vaginal odor or other vaginal problems like discharge, pain, itching, or burning. Douching will only cover up odor for a short time and will make other problems worse.

Call your doctor or nurse if you have:. These may be signs of a vaginal infection, or an STI. Do not douche before seeing your doctor or nurse. This can make it hard for the doctor or nurse to find out what may be wrong. Doctors recommend that women do not douche.

You do not need to douche to clean your vagina. Your body naturally flushes out and cleans your vagina. Any strong odor or irritation usually means something is wrong. Douching also can raise your chances of a vaginal infection or an STI. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor. It is best to let your vagina clean itself. The vagina cleans itself naturally by making mucous. The mucous washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge. If you are worried about vaginal odor, talk to your doctor or nurse.

But you should know that even healthy, clean vaginas have a mild odor that changes throughout the day. Physical activity also can give your vagina a stronger, muskier scent, but this is still normal.

Douching before or after sex does not prevent STIs. In fact, douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you from infection. Learn ways to prevent STIs. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you from infection. Douching also does not protect against pregnancy. AndreyPopov Istock by Getty. Douching is the practice of washing or cleaning out the vagina. Water, herbs, soaps, or other mixtures of fluids soak or rinse the inside of the vagina.

Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged bottles or bags of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. The mixtures care squirted through a tube or nozzle into the vagina. Douching is not the same as taking a bath a shower. Washing the outside of the vagina is a safe and healthy habit. Scientific research shows no medical benefit, and douching is linked to health problems.

Douching disrupts the vaginal chemistry and creates a pH imbalance. A healthy vagina contains a delicate ecosystem of yeast and protective bacteria. The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment with a pH of 3.

The acidic environment protects the vagina from an overgrowth of yeast or harmful bacteria. Douching changes the necessary balance of vaginal flora and disrupts the natural acidity in a healthy vagina. The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation. Douching disrupts the vaginal ecosystem allowing an overgrowth of yeast or harmful bacteria.

This disruption can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. This keeps the vagina healthy and prevents infection. Douching can remove good bacteria from the vagina. Using a douche can change its pH balance, allow bad bacteria to multiply, and infections, irritations, raw skin, and more severe complications to occur. Douching can cause more harm than good.

The potential for complications, some of which may be severe, is dependent on the reasons a woman decides to douche in the first place. Douching is not a valid form of contraception. However, using a douche can make it more difficult for a woman who is trying to conceive. There is a common misconception that douching can help prevent vaginal infections or get rid of them. However, the opposite is true.

In fact, women who douche are five times more likely to develop vaginosis than those who do not. Using a douche when an infection is already present is also more likely to make it worse and spread to other parts of the reproductive system. Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection. Women who douche regularly increase their risk of PID by 73 percent. Cervicitis occurs when the cervix becomes irritated or inflamed, and it can cause itching, pain, and vaginal discharge.

It is another condition that is usually contracted via a sexually transmitted infection. However, douching also increases the risk.