This is an important one ladies! Please read and spread awareness because douching may not be as harmless as you think.
For those who don’t know; douches are squirt bottles filled with water (and often some kind of cleansing solution) and an attached tube. They’re used to “clean” the inside of the vagina. I’ve heard some say that douching could improve your cervical mucus (and thereby fertility).
But is douching even needed?
But here’s the thing… nope, your vagina does NOT need cleaning. It’s way more advanced than that; it’s actually self-cleaning.
Here’s why you shouldn’t douche: douches can upset the natural pH balance and the pressurized fluid can even transport harmful bacteria to your upper reproductive tract.
Just to give you an idea of what douching has been linked to:
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- bacterial vaginosis
- cervical cancer
- human immunodeficiency virus transmission
- recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
- ectopic pregnancy
- low birth weight
- preterm birth
and of course, let’s not forget the impact on your fertility:
- a reduced chance to conceive (30% lower chance of conceiving every month!)
- infertility, often caused by infections
So no, douching does NOT improve your cervical mucus and it does way more harm than good.
To the 20% of women that still douche regularly; NOW is the time to stop! Your vagina is doing an awesome job of cleaning all by itself 😊
References:
Martino et al. 2002. Vaginal Douching: Evidence for Risks or Benefits to Women’s Health. Epidemiologic Reviews, 24(2), 109-124.
Baird et al. 1996. Vaginal douching and reduced fertility. American Journal of Public Health, 86(6), 844-850.
