Q: I heard that black women douche twice as much as white women, but I’ve heard that douching isn’t supposed to be good. What are the risks?
A: Douching is NOT good feminine hygiene because it removes the good bacteria that is natural to the vagina. Practicing proper hygiene with regular soap and water is sufficient for the vagina. Many women in our community are, unfortunately, taught that they need to douche before and after intercourse. Douching can cause pelvic inflammatory disease as well as other vaginal infections.
READ: Women: Keep Your Lady Parts Healthy (And Happy)
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.