How many times can you douche a month

PID can cause long-term pain in the pelvic region and increase a woman's chances of ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Some research suggests that even if a woman who douches regularly doesn't have PID, she will still take longer to conceive than women who don't. Douching at least once a week has also been linked to a possible increased chance of developing certain types of cancer — including cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. So what is the best way to clean your vagina besides douching?

The answer is actually to do nothing. Your vagina, like a self-cleaning oven, is meant to clean itself. The more you interfere with its process by douching or using strong soaps or soaps with fragrance, the more likely you are to experience irritation. Simply rinse with warm tap water and a washcloth, if necessary. These are not normal processes of your vagina, but are signs that you have some type of infection. On the contrary, douching doesn't prevent any of these women's health problems — rather, it can cause serious health complications.

The National Institutes of Health similarly discourages the use of vaginal douching, warning women that: Douching has been associated with many adverse outcomes including pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, cervical cancer, low birth weight, preterm birth, human immunodeficiency virus transmission, sexually transmitted diseases, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and infertility.

What is Douching? This elevated pH level caused by vaginal douching can cause immediate health problems for a woman, including: Vaginal Dryness : Douching may remove or alter the natural mucous of the vaginal walls. Bacterial Vaginosis : A painful inflammation of the vaginal tissue, bacterial vaginosis occurs when harmful bacteria flourish in the vagina, which is more likely if the natural, healthy bacteria are washed away with douching.

If using a wash, the individual should make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward and gently pat dry with a clean towel. By following the above advice, the pH balance and good bacteria in the vagina should remain undisturbed, and infections and odors are less likely to occur. Think you know all there is to know about your lady parts? Think again. Here, we take you through 10 things that you should know about the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina.

Symptoms include a grayish discharge…. Vaginal gas occurs when air becomes trapped in the vagina. While it can cause embarrassment for the women experiencing it, vaginal gas is common and…. The vagina and the female orgasm are a mystery to many. Find out how the female sex organs work together to cause sexual arousal and satisfaction. What is a douche? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

Overview Safety Risks Is douching necessary? Alternatives Preventing odor A douche is a device used to introduce a jet of water to the inside of a part of the body so that it can be washed. Why are douches used? Is douching safe? Risks of douching. Share on Pinterest There are some risks with douching including infections and cervicitis.

Is douching necessary? Alternatives to douching. Women who douche often once a week are five times more likely to develop BV than women who do not douche. Should I douche to get rid of vaginal odor or other problems?

Call your doctor or nurse if you have: Vaginal discharge that smells bad Vaginal itching and thick, white, or yellowish-green discharge with or without an odor Burning, redness, and swelling in or around the vagina Pain when urinating Pain or discomfort during sex These may be signs of a vaginal infection, or an STI. Should I douche to clean inside my vagina? What is the best way to clean my vagina?

Keep your vagina clean and healthy by: Washing the outside of your vagina with warm water when you bathe. Some women also use mild soaps. But, if you have sensitive skin or any current vaginal infections, even mild soaps can cause dryness and irritation. Avoiding scented tampons, pads, powders, and sprays. These products may increase your chances of getting a vaginal infection.

Can douching before or after sex prevent STIs? Should I douche if I had sex without using protection or if the condom broke? Should I douche if I was sexually assaulted?

Can douching after sex prevent pregnancy? How does douching affect pregnancy? Douching can make it harder to get pregnant and can cause problems during pregnancy: Trouble getting pregnant. Women who douched at least once a month had a harder time getting pregnant than those women who did not douche. Douching may increase a woman's chance of damaged fallopian tubes and ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg attaches to the inside of the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. If left untreated, ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. It can also make it hard for a woman to get pregnant in the future. Higher risk of early childbirth. Douching raises your risk for premature birth. One study found that women who douched during pregnancy were more likely to deliver their babies early.

Did we answer your question about douching? For more information about douching, call the OWH Helpline at Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chandra, A. Fertility, family planning, and reproductive health of U. Vital Health Statistics; 23 25 , 1— Ott, M. Journal of Sexual Medicine; 6: — Markham, C. Journal of Adolescent Health; 41 5 : — Ness, R.

Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina. Obstet Gynecol; — Allsworth, J. Obstetrics and Gynecology; 1 , —