Health Tips

In truth, the vagina is like a self-cleaning oven—it doesn’t require any special cleaning method to stay healthy and you shouldn’t put any products or creams inside of it.
Woman showering

A little gentle soap and warm water is all you need to clean your lady parts. But some women insist on douching to achieve ultimate cleanliness, which can actually cause more harm than good.
In case you’re still douching, here are some reasons to stop.

1. Vaginal infections (bacterial vaginosis)
Douching upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina. These changes make the environment more favorable for the growth of bacteria that cause infection. Studies have found that women who stopped douching were less likely to have bacterial vaginosis. Having bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of preterm labor and sexually transmitted infections.

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. Research has found that women who douche may have a 73% higher risk of getting PIDs.

3. Pregnancy complications
Women who douche more than once a week have more difficulty getting pregnant than those who don’t douche. Douching may also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy by as much as 76%. With an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo implants outside the uterus. The more a woman douches, the greater the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.

4. Cervical cancer
Douching at least once a week has been linked to a possible increased chance of developing cervical cancer
Ladies, there’s no need to douche or apply products internally. You can keep your vagina healthy by simply washing of the vulva with water during your daily shower or bath.