[Fox08]

if the old blood does not get cleaned thoroughly by the vagina itself n the old blood stays inside until the next cycle, wont that give the bad bacterial a good warm bed to multiply ? Further more , wont the vagina be more susceptible to infection ?

[Sammi1988]

Personally i wouldnt mess about with that douching because its not natural!!!! Im going through what lemon tart is and its either old blood or hormonal imbalance or if you are on the contraceptive pill that has alot to do with it!

[DreamP346]

Hi sp346, i read that fact sheet also but couldnt find the answer to my question... If a vagina can clean itself so thoroughly, every woman will be having a problem free n a healthy vagina...

Reading the last sentence, "The only time you should douche is when your doctor tells you to" does it contradict what they are saying... So can i say douching is not a definite no-no, just that is has to be done moderately n not regularly ?

Douching is a definite no no unless a doctor recommends it, just like cutting off an arm is a no no unless medical reason necessitates it and it is advised by doctor. A lot of what the medical profession does is not standard protocal because human beings are not all cookie cutter. Therefore, there are always statements like these to leave in an exception just in case a doctor feels that particular woman's body requires treatment that defies normal circumstances.

The vagina does self cleanse. The fact stuff is coming out of it is evidence that it is occuring. Just because it doesn't all come out in a nice 4 day window does not mean its not doing its job. Each woman's body works differently. Some women can expel a large amount of blood in just 3 days while others just spot for 7 days. Just because its not happening similarly for everybody does not mean its not working. The way the vagina cleanses itself is a healthier way than when we intervene. Research has shown that douching is associated with increased infections. However, douching has not been shown to provide anything positive, whether it is done occassionally or frequently. As douching has not been shown to provide any benefits but is linked with infections, its better not to do it.

[DreamP346]

if the old blood does not get cleaned thoroughly by the vagina itself n the old blood stays inside until the next cycle, wont that give the bad bacterial a good warm bed to multiply ? Further more , wont the vagina be more susceptible to infection ?

Stuff like this is happening constanly all over our body. For example, when you get a bruish, that is a blood clot. The body will take a few days to a few weeks to get ride of those dead blood cells. We are not concerned that those dead blood cells will foster bacterial growth. The uterus is a very sterile place and the blood in there, even if its dried up dead blood cells, is actually very safe. The vagina is not as sterile compared to the uterus, but anything in there tends to "fall" out. The healthy bacteria in there usually prevents bad bacteria from growing (I say usually, because you sometimes can get infections). Douching can actually change that bacteria environment and promote bad bacteria growth.

[Sammi1988]

Well just to give an example,i had a period about 2 weeks ago and im still experiencing brown discharge now! It is a bit worrying but im on the mini pill and that messes with my body but aslong as im not pregnant i dont worry!