Daily Bedpost - All About Sex with Em & Lo

THE DOCTOR IS IN 02.12.2008 BY DR. KATE

Where did we get the idea that the vagina is a dirty place (and not dirrty in a good way)? So many of my patients are absolutely obsessed with cleaning themselves, and even wash and change panties several times a day. I tell them that odor is natural, and discharge is normal. And while a panty change won't hurt them, douching--no matter how tempting--can hurt. Here's why:

Douching can make odor and discharge worse--probably the most common reason women douche in the first place. If you have an infection, douching promotes even more bacterial growth, so you wind up feeling worse than when you started.
Douching can't prevent STDs. It doesn't clean out the harmful bacteria, just washes away the good ones, actually increasing your risk of infection.
Douching may cause pelvic inflammatory disease. It pushes the bacteria into your uterus, where they can travel to your tubes and wreck great havoc. Women who douche have over a 70% greater risk of PID compared with women who don't.
Douching is not effective birth control. In fact, it just lets more sperm surf their way into your cervix. But, I don't have to tell YOU that, right?
Douching may cause ectopic pregnancy. And while the sperm are surfing north, they've got a straight shot for your tubes, giving you a 75% higher chance of having a pregnancy land there.

Have any of you tried douching?

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4 Comments

Conrad said:

So what exactly are you supposed to use a Douche for?

February 12, 2008 12:53 PM

Jamie said:

I have to periodically, though only with a warm water rinse or salted water, but I am also a post-op transsexual who is still physically adapting to my new body, and forming a proper balance of chemicals. Plus, I need to slough off any healed and superfluous dead skin and blood and (copious amounts of) lube. ^.^

February 12, 2008 10:31 PM

Dr. Kate said:

Jamie, you've given us the only good reason to douche--when it's recommended by your gyno, particularly after surgery. There's really no other time, Conrad, when douching is a good idea.

February 15, 2008 1:39 AM

said:

well how do u get rid of that odor after ur cycle???

October 9, 2008 1:40 AM

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