Does Douching Cause Vaginal Infections Like BV and Yeast Infections?
Do you suffer from common vaginal infections like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections?
These embarrassing and uncomfortable vaginal troubles could be caused by douching.
Over 21 million women in the United States suffer from BV, a vaginal infection that shows up with fishy odors, strange discharge, and itchiness.
As long as vaginal infections go untreated, sex can be painful and uncomfortable. Plus, doing anything in public can be downright humiliating as you find unique ways to scratch the itches, cover up embarrassing odors, and more. Cue sweaty palms and pink cheeks!
Yes, vaginal infections can be embarrassing. Yes, vaginal infections can be annoying. And yes, many forms of vaginal infections can be 100% treatable – especially if all it takes is not douching anymore!
What Causes Vaginal Infections?
One of the most common vaginal infections is Bacterial Vaginosis, or BV for short. BV occurs when the balance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina goes wonky. It’s unclear exactly why that happens, but there are a few things that have been linked to the bacteria imbalance, including:
And getting BV from a toilet seat, bedding, towels, or swimming pools? That’s a myth.
Yeast infections, another very common vaginal infection, happens when the microscopic fungus Candida takes over. Yeast can multiply with a change in pH or hormone balance. Candida is healthy as long as it’s present in small amounts. When too much yeast grows, it leads to that itchy, burning, and uncomfortable yeast infection. Candida usually lives on your skin, in the mouth, and in your gut. It typically doesn’t cause any issues unless it enters your bloodstream or internal organs.
In this way, vaginal yeast infections are somewhat unique due to how common they are and how a slight growth of Candida can cause such a ruckus!
Experts in the field say that anything that messes with your vaginal pH can potentially cause a vaginal infection, including the following:
Antibiotics are actually pretty important to look at in more detail because it can be confusing and damaging to your health long-term.
What Is Douching?
According to recent estimates, anywhere from 20-40% of American women between puberty and menopause use a vaginal douche. Teens, African-American, and Hispanic women report douching the most. A douche is a device used to introduce a steady stream of water into the vaginal. Many also call this vaginal irrigation or vaginal rinsing. The goal is to feel free, get rid of unwanted odors, cleanse the vagina after a period, decrease the chances of getting an STD or STI, and even as a form of contraception after sex. While cleaning out your nether regions sound like the hygienic thing to do, it truly causes more harm than good. Douching is almost always cited as a cause of vaginal infections like BV and yeast infections.
Douching – Don’t Do It!
Douching is a frequently used hygienic tool for the prevention of any vaginal odors or infections. What recent studies have shown is this method actually increases the chances of Bacterial Vaginosis. In one study, doctors found that BV occurred in 62% more women who used douching compared to those that didn’t.
Douching upsets the natural balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina. This can create the perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria to thrive, leading to infections like BV or even Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In fact, women who douche have a 73% higher risk of getting PID!
Douching has even been cited to increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. While douching seems innocent enough, our vaginal ecosystem is very easily disrupted, and research is showing that messing with it – even with water – can cause serious complications.
While our normal reaction is to scrub, clean, and spray as much as possible, that’s actually the worst thing you can do.
When it comes to vaginas, less is more. Plain water, unscented soaps, and avoiding douching and steaming like the plague can do wonders.
Can Douching Ever Be a Good Thing?
Douching can actually cause a pH imbalance in your vagina, but do it with hydrogen peroxide and it could be the cure for common vaginal infections like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in just one week.
A study from Minerva Ginecol showed promising results with 30 ml per day.
One reviewer of feminine health supplement Balance Complex swears by taking the daily supplement and douching with hydrogen peroxide to cure her BV issues.
Proceed with caution, but the results from this study are compelling and could be worth a try, especially if you suffer from chronic vaginal infections.
One thing you to be weary of? Relying on antibiotics.
Think Twice About Antibiotics
If you go to the doctor with a vaginal infection, you’re most likely going to get a prescription for an antibiotic that treats a common condition like Bacterial Vaginosis, a yeast infection, or another form of vaginitis. I know what you’re thinking. Antibiotics can treat vaginal infections, and yet you’re saying they can cause vaginal infections? What gives?
It’s true. Antibiotics kill off all kinds of bacteria – they have no sweet spots for helpful bacteria like lactobacilli. Everything dies, leaving your vaginal flora with a completely blank slate. Sounds nice in theory, but it’s the perfect opportunity for everything to go haywire.
Harmful bacteria can quickly multiply and take over, leaving you with chronic vaginal infections – the vaginal infections that never really goes away.
If your vaginal flora is strong enough to come back healthy with a proper bacteria balance, that’s wonderful! However, it may only be a short-term solution.
If you get vaginal infections such as BV or yeast infections more than once – and about half of women do – your body could develop a resistance to antibiotics. Over time, this leads to higher and longer doses of antibiotics. Basically, what used to cure your vaginal infection in 5 days will eventually take 10 days at double the strength. While bacterial resistance is still being studied, there’s concern among the medical profession that antibiotics may ultimately be rendered completely ineffective.
Plus, while it’s not the end of the world, antibiotics can come with nasty side effects like diarrhea and other infections. No thanks!
Natural Vaginal Infection Treatment for Women
While your doctor will undoubtedly push you towards an antibiotic regimen, it only treats and cures the vaginal infection symptoms this time. It does nothing to prevent them from coming back again and again. This has led many women to turn to natural treatments for vaginal infections, and you’re in luck! There are dozens of natural ingredients found in nature that have been clinically studied and have proven to be useful as BV and yeast infection treatments. Even better?
These same all-natural enzymes and probiotics can balance your vaginal pH, which will ultimately stop different types of vaginal infections from coming back..
Get Rid of Vaginal Infections with a Daily pH-Balancing Supplement
The natural enzymes and probiotics we mentioned aren’t exactly something you pick up at the grocery store. There are ingredients out there that can help with vaginal infection treatment, such as coconut oil, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar. However, they’re really not the mega-strength solution you’re probably looking for. They don’t have much research behind them, and they’re not a sustainable, long-term way to balance the pH levels of your vaginal flora.
To prevent vaginal infections and help with natural vaginal infection treatment, we recommend taking a daily pH-balancing supplement. This will ensure your body keeps the right balance of good and bad bacteria, which gets at the root of the problem – not just the symptoms.
Say goodbye to expensive doctor visits, long waits at the pharmacy, and recurring vaginal infection symptoms.
In our opinion, the pH-balancing supplement that fits the bill is Balance Complex. Balance Complex contains 4 billion CFU/G of L. Acidophilus, a maximum-strength probiotic which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the vagina. In a 2007 study, L. Acidophilus rebalanced the vaginal pH levels of nearly every woman analyzed. Balance Complex also contains more than 10 naturally occurring ingredients (no chemicals or synthetic ingredients!) that are linked to the prevention, treatment, and curing of vaginal infections such as BV and yeast infections.
Balance Complex is:
- 100% natural – no chemicals or synthetic materials
- Maximum-strength to kick a yeast infection to the curb for good
- Made in the USA
- Formulated and produced in an FDA-registered lab and GMP-certified facility
- Backed by AFT – Advanced Formulation Technology
- Over the counter vaginal infection treatment – no prescription required
If you want to halt your reliance on prescription drugs and antibiotics – and stop chronic vaginal infections for good – consider trying an all-natural alternative like Balance Complex.
This pH-balancing feminine supplement should be taken daily to keep your pH levels balanced. The supplement not only treats any existing symptoms, but it stops the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the future.
Does a Natural Supplement Really Help Treat Vaginal Infections?
We believe in Balance Complex as a treatment for vaginal infections because of how much research was put into the ingredients. Nearly every single ingredient in Balance Complex has been proven to help get rid of BV and yeast infections, the most common vaginal infections. For example, a 2007 study published in J Altern Complement Med found that Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly decreased – or even cured – the patient’s Bacterial Vaginosis.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that extracts from the Reishi mushroom helped with gut inflammation and the buildup of harmful bacteria in the bloodstream. Your gut health is linked to the overall pH balance of your entire body. If your gut is in great shape, you can better prevent and treat Bacterial Vaginosis and yeast infections.
The oil from oregano has antimicrobial properties. While it’s often used to flavor food, one study published in Mol Cell Biochem found that oregano completely inhibits the growth of C. Albicans or Candida Albicans. These antimicrobial properties can treat and prevent bacterial infections like yeast infections and BV.
You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Here are what some real women have to say about Balance Complex and its ability to serve as a natural treatment for vaginal infections:
These supplements worked miracles
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on September 28, 2019
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I have tried so many feminine body washes, and douches to help my downstairs funk. But these supplements worked miracles within a few days. This is the real deal when it comes to treating bacterial vaginosis*
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The itching was gone
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on June 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
I had had a yeast infection for a while that had gotten worse by the various natural douches I had tried. I started taking Balance Complex after reading about another woman’s success in using it and a high dosage of probiotics and the itching was gone within 2 days and hasn’t come back. It was such a relief!*
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This product has been a godsend!
By Anonymous Amazon Customer on June 2, 2019
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I’m 50 years old and I’ve struggled with vaginal odor since puberty. Trust me when I tell you that I’ve tried virtually every feminine hygiene product on the market (ie. Jellies, FDS spray, Vagisil cream, Vagisil wipes, Vagisil powder, Rephresh, vaginal suppositories, and douching regularly with vinegar and water). These products actually increased the odor because I was washing out the natural flora in my body I would recommend this product to anyone who has a ph imbalance, or who struggles with vaginal odor This product has been a godsend!*
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Treating Vaginal Infections for Good – Without Douching!
If you’re suffering from vaginal infections, the Balance Complex supplement will help relieve your symptoms and rebalance your vaginal pH. However, it’s essential to take Balance Complex as a daily supplement. (And don’t douche!)
Treating BV and yeast infections is nice, but preventing it is critical. You don’t want to show up for a lovely date night or a fun pool day with a fishy, itchy situation down under.
With Balance Complex, you can get rid of vaginal infections for good – and without douching!
We believe so strongly in the power of Balance Complex as a natural vaginal infection treatment for women that we’re extending an offer for 30% off your first bottle.
Even better? It’s exclusive to Amazon. Get it in 2 days with free shipping and 100% free returns if you’re not happy with your purchase.
Say goodbye to vaginal infections, ladies! Say hello to a natural vaginal infection treatment for women – the one you’ve been seeking out all along.
By Andrea on July 30, 2019
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I have had issues with burning and itching for quite some time and none of the creams or douches that are available over the counter has ever taken care of these issues. After taking this product for just a short period of time, probably less than a week, the issue of burning and itching have not returned.*
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