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Revision as of 01:35, 16 May 2006
A douche (IPA /du:ʃ/) is a device used to introduce a stream of water into the body for medical or hygenic reasons, or the stream of water itself. The word comes from the French language, in which its principal meaning is a shower. The word can refer to the rinsing of any body cavity but usually applies to the vagina. A douche bag is a piece of equipment for douching: a bag for holding the water or fluid used in douching (the word can also be used as a verb). (See below for slang uses.)
Vaginal douching has a variety of perceived benefits. In addition to promising to clean the vagina of unwanted odors, it can also be used by women who wish to have intercourse during menstruation, in order to avoid blood smearing the penis. In the past, douching was also used after intercourse as a method of birth control, though it is not very effective (see below).
Many people suggest that douching is generally not a good idea, as the vagina is self-cleaning and douching interferes with the natural bacterial culture of the vagina, and it might spread or introduce infectionsTemplate:Fn. For example, the U.S. Department of Health strongly discourages douching, warning that it can lead to irritation, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory diseaseTemplate:Fn.
Douches may consist of water, water mixed with vinegar, or even antiseptic chemicals. Frequent douching with water may result in an imbalance of the pH of the vagina, and thus may put women at risk for possible vaginal infections. Antiseptics may result in an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the vagina, also resulting in an increased likelihood of infection. Furthermore, unclean douching equipment may also introduce undesirable foreign bodies into the vagina. For these reasons, the practice of douching is now generally discouraged, unless under medical supervision.
Douching after intercourse is estimated at reducing the chances of conception by only 1/6 to 1/4. For comparison, proper condom use reduces the chance of conception by as much as 97/100 (see more at Condom). In some cases douching may force the ejaculate further into the vagina, increasing the chance of pregnancy.
The practice of douching is now largely restricted to North America, where douching equipment is often available in pharmacies.
Slang uses
Terms such as douche bag, d-bag, douche nozzle, douche cake, bag of douche, giant douche, and just plain douche are popular derogatory terms of insult or ridicule in North America. Example: "Dude, you are such a douche bag." Or, "Man, that chick is such a douche."
References
See also
- Bidet
- Enema
- Sexual slang
- The Biggest Douche in the Universe, an episode of South Park critical of purported medium John Edward
External links
- Advertisements for Lysol as a douche, from 1928 and 1948
- Governmental FAQ