Do you douche?

[Carrie_C 9]

I work in a doctor's office and I am very surprised at the number of women who still douche even though we now know it is bad. I used to, but I haven't in years because it causes infections and it is very unnecessary.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I have a real problem with yeast infections and urinary tract infections. I have heard to douche with different things to treat those two problems but I am afraid to, as I have also heard it's not a good thing to do.

[heartfire 4]

NO! It's not good for you! You send all the bacteria out of whack.

OregonDaisy, have you thought about getting on a good probiotic? Taken regularly it can usually help get all your bacterias back in the balances they should be. I take acidophylis (I can never spell this right!) pills. I can't remember the brand (I can look it up for you if you're interested) but I get it in the health section of my grocery store. I keep them in the fridge and I take 1 pill 2x a day at this time of year. During the non sickie times of year, I drop it to just once a day. It needs to read that it has billions of live active cultures and keeping them in the fridge keeps them alive longer. What I take is a VERY tiny pill so even tho I'm restricted right now and can't even eat Breakfast, I can still take this pill. Weird, I know.

Oh yes. We are also to blot after urination, not digging hard for China! Can't remember where I heard that but it cracked me up!

Anyway, thought I'd share that! Sorry!

[*slim* 2]

My doctor told me to stop several years ago because I kept getting my body out of balance. I had a standing rx for Relegard to get me back in balance. Once I stopped using the douche, I stopped having problems.

[*susan* 1,709]

Definitely not. Like everyone else is saying, it wipes out all the good bacteria that we need and ends up causing us to have UTI's.

[Carrie_C 9]

I'm glad to see there are some smart women on this board! I wish my patients were as smart!! A lot of them just won't stop no matter how many infections they keep getting. Most of them tell me they just feel like they need to. Most of them are older women, though, and I think it has to do with the way they were brought up. That's just what they did back then. Women weren't considered clean if they didn't do it. My mother used to douche all the time. Her doctor and I finally convinced her to stop a few years ago, and she has stopped getting so many infections.

There are times though, when some women need medicated douches, like after cervical cancer treatment, and some other times, but that is very different.

[bandicote 0]

so i'm abit confussed ,i was just reding on this site about a neti pot for post nasel drip and draining the nasel pasage as most of the dirt and bacteria we suck in is through the nose

will cleansing out the bactsria in the nose cause unballance or is it just a girl parts thing??

[cattoy71 0]

True fact:

The vagina and the eyes are the only self cleaning body orafices:)

I never douche cause you're right it messes up the body's ph balance...if you feel that you have an odor that is stronger then in the past, check with your obgyn.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I do take Probiotics. I have trouble sleeping so when I am awake in the middle of the night I will get up and take them. Then I take more before bed. They are supposed to be taken one hour before meals or 2 hours after. Mine are pretty expensive and they must be refrigerated.

I had been taking them for months, but it was only recently the person in the health food store told me that they must be taken on an empty stomach.

Oh by the way, my daughter is an RN and she swears by her Neti pot. I think it's different for the nasal passages than the vaginal area.

[Carrie_C 9]

so i'm abit confussed ,i was just reding on this site about a neti pot for post nasel drip and draining the nasel pasage as most of the dirt and bacteria we suck in is through the nose

will cleansing out the bactsria in the nose cause unballance or is it just a girl parts thing??

I think these are fine to use. In fact, I was just reading a magazine article about it. People who use it said that they haven't had a sinus infection in years.

[Daisalana 33]

If God wanted my vajaja to smell like flowers, it would have come that way!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Well, I get a lot of yeast infections because I get a lot of

urinary tract infections. I take an antibiotic and immediately get a yeast infection. I read online to douche with vinegar and Water as yeast can't grow in that environment. I don't want to do it though because I am afraid of messing up my system even more.

[*slim* 2]

Well, I get a lot of yeast infections because I get a lot of

urinary tract infections. I take an antibiotic and immediately get a yeast infection. I read online to douche with vinegar and Water as yeast can't grow in that environment. I don't want to do it though because I am afraid of messing up my system even more.

There is an over the counter product by the people that make the UTI prevention medicine (AZO i think?) that is to help prevent yeast infections. Also, there are a lot of women that swear by yogurt to end yeast infections.

[Carrie_C 9]

Have you had any studies to see why you get so many UTI's?

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Yea, I have been taking that AZO yeast and it doesn't seem to do anything.

I have been seeing urologists about the urinary tract infections. My urethra is too close to my vagina so I get one every time I have sex. It's a very big problem in my life. I see the dr. again this thurs. They are talking about

wanting to look inside my bladder. That is very expensive

and I have a $1,000 deductible and then my ins. will only

pay 70% after that.

I am trying this stuff a friend uses called D Mannose, which is supposed to make your body not be able to hang onto bacteria. It's very expensive too, but if it worked I would be happy. I have tried everything everyone has suggested, like wiping both of us down with baby wipes before sex.