Search

Background: Vaginal douching is a common practice among women all over the world. Women douche for various reasons, despite evidence indicating the harmful health effects of the practice. There is lack of data on the practice in Ghana but health behaviors like vaginal douching may be influenced by differences in culture and geography. Therefore, this study sought to assess prevalence and predictors of vaginal douching practices among women of the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 women from January to March 2016., Results: Sixty-seven percent of the women practiced vaginal douching, from which a similar proportion did it daily. Over two-thirds (67.7%) of the women used water for douching. The reasons for douching were cleansing the vagina (67.7%), therapeutic effects (12.8%) and tightening of the vaginal muscles (19.5%). The majority (87.2%) of women who douched were unaware of the harmful health effects associated with the practice. The educational level of the women (p = 0.025) and having knowledge of the dangers associated with douching (p <  0.001) were then significantly associated with douching practices., Conclusion: Vaginal douching is commonly practiced by women in the Bolgatanga Municipality. Most of these women douche because they did not know that there are health problems associated with the practice. Health education on the issues of women health is very vital for the improvement of women's health.

Background: The vaginal microbiome influences quality of life and health. The composition of vaginal microbiota can be affected by various health behaviors, such as vaginal douching. The purpose of this study was to examine the types and prevalence of diverse vaginal/genital health and hygiene behaviors among participants living in Canada and to examine associations between behavioral practices and adverse gynecological health conditions., Method: An anonymous online survey, available in English and French, was distributed across Canada. The sample consisted of 1435 respondents, 18 years or older, living in Canada., Results: Respondents reported engaging in diverse vaginal/genital health and hygiene behavioral practices, including the use of commercially manufactured products and homemade and naturopathic products and practices. Over 95% of respondents reported using at least one product in or around the vaginal area. Common products and practices included vaginal/genital moisturizers, anti-itch creams, feminine wipes, washes, suppositories, sprays, powders, and waxing and shaving pubic hair. The majority of the sample (80%) reported experiencing one or more adverse vaginal/genital symptom in their lifetime. Participants who had used any vaginal/genital product(s) had approximately three times higher odds of reporting an adverse health condition. Several notable associations between specific vaginal/genital health and hygiene products and adverse health conditions were identified., Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind to identify the range and prevalence of vaginal/genital health and hygiene behaviors in Canada. Despite a lack of credible information about the impact of these behaviors on women's health, the use of commercially manufactured and homemade products for vaginal/genital health and hygiene is common. Future research can extend the current exploratory study by identifying causal relationships between vaginal/genital health and hygiene behaviors and changes to the vaginal microbiome.

Purpose: To review current studies on vaginal douching., Data Sources: MEDLINE PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from 2002 to 2008 using MeSh terms "vaginal AND irrigation or vaginal and douching" from 2002 to 2003 and "vaginal douching" and "vaginal douching and adverse effects" from 2004 to 2008., Study Selection: MEDLINE PubMed included 156 records, CINAHL 15, and Cochrane 10. Articles in English were reviewed, and those pertaining to vaginal douching and reproductive and gynecologic outcomes were included. References from these articles were reviewed and included when appropriate. 2008 Web sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also included., Data Extraction: Articles were reviewed and summarized., Results: Vaginal douching is a common practice for almost one-third of women in the United States. Douching is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including ectopic pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm labor, preterm birth, and chorioamnionitis. Douching is more prevalent among non-Hispanic black women than among white women or Hispanic women. Douching alters the vaginal flora and predisposes women to develop bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is also more prevalent among women who douche and among black women. Douching is also associated with serious gynecologic outcomes, including increased risk of cervical cancer, pelvic imflammatory disease, endometritis, and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Many factors influence women's douching behaviors, including social, cultural, and educational factors. Healthcare providers can influence women to stop douching., Clinical Implications: Healthcare providers may not be aware of the mounting evidence of negative health outcomes associated with the practice of douching. At every opportunity, healthcare providers should ask women whether they douche and inquire about vaginal douching practices and beliefs associated with the practice. Douching should be discouraged because it places women at risk for multiple health problems.

To inform development of an intervention to decrease vaginal douching among Latinas, we conducted a survey of 335 women aged 16-45 years in primary care offices in the urban Northeast, including many Hispanic women (59.7%). About a third (30.7%) indicated that they had never douched. Of women who had ever douched (n = 235), 51.1% indicated they no longer douche. Women reported using a variety of products for douching and non-douching hygiene, including U.S.-made and imported commercial products as well as traditional products. Compared to Black women, more Hispanic women reported never douching and use of imported products. More positive beliefs about the benefits of douching and its safety were reported by women who currently douche. Health care providers should be aware that women may be using imported and traditional products, the safety of which is unknown. Advice about douching from health care providers may be effective for some women in helping them choose to stop or not initiate the practice.

Douching is a common practice in women and has been associated with adverse health outcomes. In order to explore douching products and practices we conducted qualitative interviews in ten botánicas (stores that provide healing and spiritual services to immigrant communities) located in New York City. We interviewed 15 people, 14 of whom were botánica owners and employees and ten of whom were women. We found that douching was not easily separated from the more holistic concerns of botánica customers involving health, well-being and spirituality. These issues included abortion, infertility, menopause, the prevention and treatment of infections, sexuality, cleanliness, hygiene and relationship issues. The vagina was seen as a sensitive, even vulnerable part of the body, not clearly distinguished from other female organs. A variety of products were used in the vagina in the form of creams, douches, suppositories, baths and herbal steaming of the urogenital area. Alum, an astringent, was used for the purposes of vaginal tightening to enhance sexual pleasure for the partner, to make the vagina 'younger', or to hide evidence of infidelity. Botánicas are part of a complex healing system with conceptual models different from those of allopathic medicine. These models may not be unique to the botánicas.

Background: Vaginal douching is associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes, yet both health providers and women are often poorly informed about details of this practice., Methods: We searched the English language articles in the MEDLINE database (1965-March 2004) to describe vaginal douching products, policies of professional organizations, predictors of douching practice, douching methods used, timing of use, and motivation. A key report was obtained from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) via the Freedom of Information Act. Additional product information was obtained from manufacturers. Primary key terms for the literature search included (vagina OR vaginal) and (douche OR douching). Health effects of douching are reviewed briefly; personal practices and public policies are highlighted., Results: From the literature search, we identified 432 papers, of which 150 were reviewed in detail. Contrary to the assumptions of many health professionals, douching products are only loosely regulated by the FDA. Few professional organizations have clearly stated policy statements regarding douching. In the United States, the prevalence of douching varies considerably by race (more common among African Americans) and age cohort (more common in women born earlier). Internationally, vaginal douching is common in some cultures and is rare in others. Opinions of mothers, peers, and health professionals, in addition to marketing of commercial products, affect douching behavior., Conclusions: Regulation of vaginal douching products and public education efforts on douching behavior need to be reassessed. Because of the preponderance of evidence that suggests an association between vaginal douching and adverse reproductive health outcomes, professional and public health associations should consider educational and policy activities to discourage women from douching.

The practice of vaginal douching dates back centuries. Numerous studies have shown that douching is quite prevalent and often begins during adolescence. Motivation for the initiation and maintenance of this practice appears complex, and presents challenges to the intervention efforts. The practice of douching remains controversial. Douching has been implicated in numerous adverse reproductive health outcomes such as increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, reduced fertility, and bacterial vaginosis. However, recent studies in developing countries have suggested that in certain circumstances, douching may actually be beneficial. We summarize key findings from the review of published literature and ongoing research, as well as highlight research challenges to our understanding of the role of vaginal douching in reproductive health.