Is It Okay to Douche on Your Period – How to Keep Yourself Clean

Have you felt a little bit of a hot mess since getting your period? We’re not referring to feelings this time. We’re talking about a mess like having blood on your thighs and stained underwear. Is it acceptable to dude while on your period?

By removing beneficial flora and altering the pH of your vagina, using a douche may actually increase your risk of contracting an infection.

Here is what you need to know about douching and why you should stay away from it to keep the flora in your vagina in a balanced state.

What is Douching?

Douching the vaginal cavity with liquid is known as vaginal washing or vaginal douching. The use of pre-made douche formulas available in stores or a concoction of water, vinegar, baking soda, or iodine are both options available to people. The substance is placed in a bottle, squirted into the vagina, and then expelled through the vaginal opening.

Why Would You Consider Douching?

Although there are many reasons why people choose to douche, it is very likely that doing so can lead to further imbalances and even reproductive problems.

Some of these reasons can include:

• To flush out ‘old blood’ after your period
• To attempt to remove bacteria and yeast associated with infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis
• To attempt to remove vaginal odour
• To flush semen out of the vagina after sex (note: douching does not prevent pregnancy)
• To attempt to flush out bacteria that cause STIs

The Potential Risks of Douching Include

Considerations to make when thinking about douching.

• Vaginal Infection

Increased risk of vaginal infection since the normal or “good” bacteria decrease, thereby allowing harmful or “bad” bacteria to take over.

• Allergic Reaction

Chemicals in douching products are causing an allergic reaction. Burning, itching, or vaginal discharge could be brought on by these chemicals.

• Pelvic Inflammatory

risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) increasing.

• Ectopic Pregnancy

heightened danger of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.

After their period has ended, some women find it more comfortable to douche. As long as only warm water is used and you only douche once a month, this is safe.

Why Should You Avoid Douching?

(Magic, huh? ) The vagina is a self-cleaning organ.) with a delicate balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria. You become more prone to contracting infections (including STIs) and other complications if this balance is out of whack. We should try to avoid upsetting this bacteria because rebalancing it can take some time and effort.

While studying the precise effects of douching alone is difficult due to some people using douching as a way to combat certain issues, it has been associated with many health problems including:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Cervical cancer
• Low birth weight and pre-term birth
• HIV transmission
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush)
• Infertility

Your Vagina is Self-Cleaning

Some women believe that they should remove the blood from their vaginas after their periods. They use a douche to accomplish this. This is where the concept of feeling “dirty” can actually hurt you.

Douching comes from the French word meaning “to wash” or to “shower.” When you douche you are spraying water or another solution into your vagina to rinse it out and make it “clean.” The issue is that your vagina is not filthy.

Maintaining a specific environmental balance or pH is how your vagina stays healthy. Imagine it as finding the ideal shower temperature—not too hot, not too cold.

Read More: How to Shower During Your Period

It must be more acidic than basic for the vagina. A normal population of bacteria inhabits your vagina, and these bacteria, along with hormones, assist in maintaining a healthy, pH-balanced vagina. During and after your period, your body knows how to make adjustments to maintain this balance.

You are actually upsetting this delicate balance by changing the pH when you douche to clean out your vagina. The kinds of bacteria in the vagina change as a result of pH changes. You may contract vaginal infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis when this occurs.

Douching increases your risk of developing more severe infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can impair your fertility. After using a feminine wash, you might smell nice and feel fresh, but those effects won’t last for very long, and they’ll probably make your vagina much more uncomfortable.

What is the Best Way to Keep Your Vagina Clean?

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t try to wash inside your vagina because your body’s own mucous will take care of that for you. You can wash your vulva (the region surrounding the outside of the vagina) with plain water and, if you’d like, a very mild, fragrance-free, pH-balanced soap. If you have sensitive skin, soap may not always be necessary and may irritate you.

Remember that everyone has a different vaginal odor, so it’s important to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re infected or ‘unclean’. The same is true for discharge; see this post for information on what is and is not typical. You should consult a physician if you experience unusual discharge, notice that your vaginal odor has intensified, smells fishy, yeasty, or particularly strong.

When to See a Doctor About Vaginal Changes

Make an appointment with your ob/gyn if you notice a strong, lingering change in your vaginal odor, particularly if it is accompanied by a thicker discharge. These could be symptoms of a variety of infections, including gonorrhea, BV, yeast vaginitis, or even a misplaced tampon or contraceptive sponge. The problem can be identified by your doctor, who can also recommend the best course of treatment for you.

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