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Vol.1 , No. 4, Publication Date: Sep. 16, 2014, Page: 50-57
| [1] | Gautam Mandal, Department of Botany, D.A.V (P.G.) College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. |
| [2] | Divya Raina, Department of Psychology, Pacific University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. |
| [3] | Geeta Balodi, Department of Psychology, M.K.P (P.G.) College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. |
Vaginal Douching has been practiced by women in different times and cultures but the reasons have remained the same i.e. to clean menstrual blood, feel hygienic, avoiding pregnancy, vaginal itching or the tightening of vagina. Scientific researchers have identified the health risks associated with the practice of douching which range from occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, cervical chlamydial infections, preterm birth etc., yet women continue to follow this practice, since it has been passed on to them through mothers in many cases. Relation of HIV and douching too has been identified by researchers. Commercial and non-commercial products have been used by women for the purpose of douching. Besides water and vinegar other douching materials too have been used frequently for the purpose which include cotton wool, lemon juice, cloth, herbs, powder, roots, salt, disinfectant, oil, Vicks, sugar, baking soda, ice, toothpaste etc. The studies suggest that if physicians are to help women understand the ill effects of douching they are more likely to stop the practice of douching. Discussions along with patient centered, non-judgmental counseling may help women to overcome the habit of douching and thus be able to avoid severe health consequences.
Keywords
Vaginal Douching, Practices, Methods, Douching Products, Health Risks
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