Cleaning your lady parts

**Ruthy** · 06-06-2011 06:22 PM

I was wondering If douching is a normal thing, like as in a regular basis thing. I was never tought you had to do that, but about two months ago I was talking to my BF's mum (we have a close and open relationship) and she said that I should be doing it every time I shower.
So Ive been giving it a try.
I dont know if its good to do this, or not.

What are your opinions...

(PS I dont know if I put this in the right section or not, hopefully I did)

**LanaBear** · 06-06-2011 06:29 PM

Noooooo....

Not that often... Many don't do it at all and are just fine. Personally, I douche (water & vinegar) once a month after my period. But if you do it too often it can cause problems. Maybe another issue with your dryness, etc...

Your body needs the natural "bacteria" it produces, when you douche it gets rid of it all and ends up causing problems.

You really don't need anything more than to gently wash your lady bits with water and a wash cloth. You could use a mild, hypo allergenic soap too but not always necessary.

**WildChild** · 06-06-2011 06:42 PM

If you are healthy and well hydrated, your vagina will clean itself very effectively. I use only an unscented, dye free, mild soap and wash my entire body with that and have for years with no problems. Using the more harsh products on the sensitive tissue of your labia could make it irritated.

**Ruthy** · 06-06-2011 07:04 PM

Oh Jeeze. Thanks Ladies.
Maybe that is the reason im having problems!

Ive cut down to every few showers now anyways, but Ill definatly only do it after my period.

**kira** · 06-06-2011 09:49 PM

For the most part that area is self cleaning. Occasionally you can get infections from various causes but most importantly wearing underwear and other clothes or pads that do not breathe well and stay moist so bacteria or yeast can grow on the material. I prefer to keep the hair there trimmed really short cause it cuts down on scent and you can get wipes if you don't feel clean enough after using toilet paper. Internally you should not have to do anything though and removing the fluid in there could lead to an infection. The body keeps the vagina at a certain ph with a certain amount of good bacteria and yeast organisms to prevent problems. Altering that can cause an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast because the balance is ruined and then you get symptoms of infections.