Health Tip: Douching Isn't Recommended

(HealthDay News) - Douching is a method of cleansing the female genitalia with a fluid mixture, often of water.

According to the U.S. National Women's Health Information Center, douching is generally not recommended by doctors, as it can adversely affect the body's natural balance of bacteria.

The agency offers these additional potential side effects of douching:

• Irritation of the vagina.


• An infection called bacterial vaginosis.


• Increased risk of sexually transnitted disease or pelvic inflammatory disease.


• Vaginal infections that could spread to other parts of the female reproductive system.