Why Women Douche and Why They May or May Not Stop

Abstract

In Brief Background Although douching is common, it is a potentially harmful habit. Goal We studied attitudes and knowledge around the behavior of douching. Study Design Of 1200 women enrolled in this multisite study, 532 douched and answered questions on a structured interview regarding douching behaviors. Results Over half had douched for 5 or more years. Douching was most often initiated on the recommendation of female relatives and practiced for reasons of hygiene. Half of women considered douching to be healthy. Those who considered douching to be unhealthy reported that douching may disrupt vaginal flora but did not cite more serious risks. Nonetheless, women who had been advised by a health professional to stop douching were less likely to consider douching healthful and were more likely to have tried to stop. Conclusion Women had a limited understanding of potential adverse health consequences associated with douching. Targeted health messages may influence women to initiate douching cessation. Half of women who douche consider the practice healthy. Yet, advice by a health professional to stop makes them reconsider the healthfulness of douching and increases attempts at douching cessation.