Should I douche after sex?

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What douching can't do and what it can do (this may surprise you, it's not good!)

Have you heard that douching after sex can stop you from getting pregnant or stop you from getting a sexually transmitted disease or infection? Hold on, before you pass on STI testing you need to know whether or not you should douche after sex in the first place.

About one out of every five women between the ages of 15 and 44 douche. Douching is cleaning the vagina by flushing it with water or other fluids. The other fluids are usually a mixture of water and either vinegar, iodine, or baking soda.

Douches are sold in pharmacies and grocery stores. Some people may even make their own. Douches are usually sold in a package that includes a squeezable bottle or bag that contains a mixed fluid and a tube (also called a nozzle). The tube must be attached to the bag/bottle and inserted into the vagina. When the bottle/bag is squeezed, the fluid enters the vagina. The fluid then flows back out.

Women report they douche to feel fresh, get rid of vaginal odor, wash away blood from their period, “avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases, and prevent a pregnancy after intercourse.”

But let’s talk about what it is not. The Office of Women’s Health reports that

douching IS NOT a way to prevent the spread of STI/STDs, and
douching IS NOT a way to stop you from getting pregnant.

[RELATED: 'STI test first? I just want to get an abortion.']

It does not matter if you douche before sex, douche after sex, or both. Douching DOES NOT stop you from getting or spreading an STI/STD. Medical News Today reports that douching removes normal bacteria from the vagina that can protect you. Removing the normal bacteria from the vagina can actually increase your chances of getting an STD/STI.

Douching may increase your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy. Douching can also lead to other issues and may make it more difficult to get pregnant when you want to. In addition, douching can increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth when you do become pregnant.

If you are already sexually active or thinking about becoming sexually active, rather than planning to douche after sex, you need to speak with a healthcare provider about how you can protect yourself now and in the future. The choices you make now can have a huge impact on your reproductive health in the future.

Even if you are not concerned about pregnancy, miscarriage, or premature birth, you need to know that douching may be harmful for you. Medical News Today reports that because douching is used to get rid of vaginal odors or discharge, it can keep you from being aware of underlying medical issues.

If you are having vaginal odor or discharge or just concerned about what is the best way to keep your vagina clean, you should speak with your doctor or other healthcare provider.

If you douche after sex thinking it will prevent pregnancy or the spread of STIs, you may be at risk for both. Give us a call or click here to request an appointment. Here at Alcove Health.We provide no cost screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Our no-cost STI screening also includes free free pregnancy testing.

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