ByN. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
August 3, 2021 (IANSlife) The term douche implies washing or soaking in French. Douching is the process of intravaginal cleaning or flushing the vagina with water or a medicated solution or liquids like iodine, vinegar etc. There have been several conflicting views on the benefits and harm related to douching. But the fact that remains unchanged is that douching is harmful and causes many detrimental effects to your vaginal health.
Additionally, there is a myth that douching protects against pregnancy. This concept is entirely wrong and additionally leads to the risk of STI's including HIV.
Anondeep Ganguly, Founder & CEO at Skin PotLet's gives us a clear picture of douching.
Why Shouldn't Women Douche?
Ganguly: There are several issues connected to douching. Douching disrupts the vaginal microbiota leading to adverse effects like:
Should One Douche Clean Inside the Vagina?
Ganguly: Absolutely not! The vagina is a self-cleaning organ. Your body naturally flushes out and cleans your vagina by making mucous. Douching increases the chances of a vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection. If you experience any strong odour or irritation in the vagina, it means that there is a risk of infection.
You Can Keep Your Vagina Clean and Healthy by:
A healthy vaginal micro-flora is critical. The best way to clean your vagina is to leave it by itself. The mucous produced by the vagina is a crucial cleaning agent that washes away any blood, semen and vaginal discharge present. If you are worried about the odour, it is to be noted that healthy and clean vaginas have a mild odour that changes throughout the day. It could be due to physical activity too. It is always best to consult a doctor if you have concerns.
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N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in