Vaginal douching ups risk of STIs, ovarian cancer AND now blood infections, docs warn
LADIES, it might be time to think more carefully about how you clean your downstairs area.
While many women use a douche, a device to spray water to wash their vaginas - this could actually be doing a lot more harm than good, docs warn.
In fact, the experts warn that it dramatically increases the risk of STIs, ovarian cancer and even blood infections.
It comes following a new study that revealed women who use a vaginal douche have higher levels of potentially dangerous chemicals in their blood.
Vaginal douching is most common in the US and involves washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids.
Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, iodine or other chemicals.
The women were asked which sanitary products they use - such as tampons, pads, vaginal douches, sprays, wet wipes and powders - and how often they used them.
Chemicals in the blood
And those who said they used vaginal douches had a heightened presence of chemicals in the blood.
In particular, the researchers found a higher concentration of 1,4-dichlorobenzene — a dangerous substance that could pose a threat to the blood.
More specifically, participants who practised vaginal douching at least twice a month had 81 per cent higher blood concentrations of 1,4-dichlorobenzene than women who reported never douching.
Those who used vaginal douches about once per month had 18 per cent higher blood concentrations of this compound compared with participants who never douched.
Toxic potential
The lead researcher Ning Ding said: "While researchers are more concerned about vaginal douches disrupting the balance of bacteria in the genital area or interrupting the pH level, they have not focused on the toxicity of those endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which is really important and need to be highlighted.
"I would recommend women not to douche."
On top of this she highlighted that the toxic potential of vaginal douching was particularly worrying given the fact 20-40 per cent of women report using them.
Dr Vanessa Mackay, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, has also urged women not to douche - saying it upsets the balance of "good" bacteria.
Using vaginal douche can disturb the natural balance of good bacteria and pH levels in the vagina
Dr Vanessa Mackay, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
She told The Sun Online: "It’s important to remember that the vagina is designed to clean and protect itself with natural vaginal secretions called discharge.
";Using vaginal douches, which flush water up into the vagina, can disturb the natural balance of good bacteria and pH levels in the vagina.
"This can cause irritation and lead to infections like vaginal thrush or bacterial vaginosis."
Instead, Dr Mackay recommends women wash their vulva only with water and un-perfumed soap.
She added: "Women should wash their vulva gently with their hands and use only water and un-perfumed soap.
What is douching?
- The vagina is designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions.
- Some women use a douche – a device used to spray water – to clean their crotch, as well as scented sprays, wipes or soaps.
- But using these implements can disrupt the normal vaginal bacteria, and may increase the risk of STIs or infection.
- Professor Lamont, from the Royal Colleges of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,told NHS Choices: "I can't think of any circumstances where douches are helpful, because all they do is wash out everything that's in the vagina, including all the healthy bacteria.”
- Women douched as far back as 1500 B.C., when an Egyptian papyrus recommended intravaginal washing with garlic and wine to treat menstrual disorders.
"It is best not to use a washcloth as this can be rough on the delicate skin.
"Women should wash the whole area including the inside of the lips (labia) but it is important not to get soap and water inside the vagina."
It comes after an American Study found that women who douche almost double their risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Senior author Clarice Weinberg commented: “There are a number of health reasons not to douche, and I can't think of any reason to do it.”
Similarly, a 2016 study found it can also increase the risk of contacting human papillomavirus (HPV).