How to Douche for Feminine Hygiene

Co-authored by Cindy Basinski, MD and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 Fact Checked

Although douching was once a common practice, it has fallen out of popular use in recent years as doctors typically recommend against it. Studies show that douching can cause bacterial infections and infertility issues, making it a less-than-perfect cleaning method.^{[1]
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Go to source} If, however, your doctor has suggested that you douche, follow the steps below to do it correctly and safely. We’ve also interviewed board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Cindy Basinski, who offers her expert insight on the best ways to care for your vagina and vulva.

Part 1

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Knowing When to Douche

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Many women douche in order to clean themselves after a period, rinse out vaginal discharge, or to clean out semen after sex. The great thing about the human body though, is that it is built to do these things on its own: “the vagina is a self-cleaning organ that needs no cleaning,” states Dr. Basinski. The vagina cleans itself without douching, meaning that you don’t have to refer to man-made soaps and rinses in order to keep your vagina in healthy, working condition.^{[2]
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The last few years of studies have offered up important research that shows that douching can be more harmful than beneficial to your body. The vagina naturally cleans itself with its high acidity and natural mucous, which douching removes.^{[3]
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Go to source} As a result of douching, you are more likely to suffer from a yeast infection or other bacterial infection.^{[4]
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Go to source} Talk to your doctor before you decide to douche, and do so at their discretion.
Some women feel like they need to douche in order to get rid of itching or burning they feel near or inside their vagina. These are symptoms of an infection though, and douching simply covers them up. Rather than trying to wash away these symptoms, meet with your doctor and explain what you’re experiencing.^{[5]
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Don’t douche to remove a strong odor. Although the vagina may have a very mild, constant odor, if you are experiencing a strong odor (outside of your menstrual cycle), it is likely a symptom of a possible infection.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source} Instead of trying to rinse out the odor, talk to your doctor and ask for their advice. They may or may not support the idea of douching, but it is best to go to them first rather than possibly making things worse.
- Most doctors, as Dr Basinski affirms, will remind their patients that “they don’t need to do anything to their vaginas…you actually shouldn’t do those kinds of things because you may upset the pH of your vagina and actually increase your risk for either bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.”
Douching is not an alternative to a condom or other contraceptive; its primary goal is to ‘clean’ the inside of the vagina. Therefore, don’t douche in attempts to prevent an STD/STI or pregnancy after sex, as it will be ineffective.^{[7]
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If you are concerned about keeping your vagina clean and odor-free in general, stick to washing the outside of your vagina instead. Use a mild soap and warm water in the shower or bath to remove any sweat or grime that might have built up on the outside of your vagina and vulva, instructs Dr. Basinski, while your body does the work of cleaning the inside on its own.

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Douching the Right Way

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1
Choose a douching product. Look through the available douching products at your local drugstore to choose an option that looks best for you—most products are sold as a prepackaged mix of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine.^{[8]
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Go to source} Avoid any solution that contains scents or dyes, confirms Dr. Basinski, as these are much more likely to cause irritation or infection.
- Some people choose to create their own homemade douching solution or otherwise attempt to clean their vagina with vinegar.^{[9]
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  Go to source} Then, they buy a squeeze bottle at the store for application. However, doctors still recommend against douching with homemade solutions, same as they do with store bought douche kits.^{[10]
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Prepare the douching solution. If you bought a kit at the store, follow the box directions to prepare the douching solution it came with. Typically, store bought douche solutions contain an antiseptic solution and a bag or bottle to help distribute it.^{[11]
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- However, keep in mind that doctors recommend against douching with vinegar and douching in general.^{[12]
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Follow the directions on the box to do this, or simply pour the solution into the squeeze bottle. If all of the solution doesn’t fit in the bottle, fill it as high as you are able and then add the rest later. Secure the lid or nozzle onto the bottle or pouch, being careful not to spill any of the contents.^{[13]
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Douching isn’t the messiest thing in the world, but it could be under certain circumstances. To prevent spilling any of the solution, get into the shower or bathtub for the entire process.^{[14]
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Research source} You’ll likely want to shower or bathe afterwards anyway.
Insert the tip of the squeeze bottle or douche pouch into the vagina (no more than 3 inches (76 mm)) and squeeze it to release the fluid.^{[15]
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Research source} Continue rinsing the inside of the vagina until you have used all the available fluid.
Use a mild soap and warm water to wash the outside of the vagina as you would normally during a shower or bath.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Your goal now is to wash off any of the douching solution left on the exterior of your vagina. The douching solution is relatively harmless on any other part of your body, so rinse it off if it comes into contact with anything else but don’t worry about it too much. However, keep in mind that the chemicals in over-the-counter douches may irritate or inflame sensitive skin, including the skin on your vulva and inside the vaginal canal.^{[17]
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Follow up with any post-douching cleaning activities you deem necessary. Clean out the douching pouch or squeeze bottle thoroughly and let it air dry completely before storing it for later use.^{[18]
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Research source} Clean up anything else you might have made a mess with while concocting your solution.

How Do You Wash Your Vagina?

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What about rinsing the vagina with just water?

AbigailAbernathy

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This is the better option to douching. Douching can lead to infection, as it disrupts the vagina's natural pH balance.

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Is it necessary to use feminine wash everyday?

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No. Find what works for you. Everyone's body is different.

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After douching in the shower do you need to scrub the tub?

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No, that isn't necessary.

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Tips

If you use a douche pouch and the plastic tip, don't force it too far in or make it hurt. You shouldn't feel anything but warm water running down.^{[19]
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You don't need to try to "hold in" the solution. The water mixture is meant to naturally come back out through your vagina.^{[20]
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Use the solution only once when it's fresh (within an hour of mixing) and discard any leftover.^{[21]
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Do not use normal body soap to clean the inside of your vagina. This will irritate your vagina and harm the helpful bacteria. It's okay to use soap on the area outside your vagina.
If you're using an antibacterial douche, follow up with a probiotic and eat a lot of yogurt to ensure your vagina maintains the right amount of good bacteria.

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Warnings

If the solution you prepare burns when you begin, stop immediately and wash with pure water. Ingredients used in douche products like vinegar, iodine, and antiseptics may cause burning and irritation inside the vagina.^{[22]
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Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience pain, burning, itching, or spotting in or around your vagina.^{[23]
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If you have an infection, seek medical attention right away.^{[24]
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Go to source} Do not try to treat it only by douching, which may make the infection worse.^{[25]
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