Douches and Feminine Sprays

 


Douches and Feminine Sprays
Douches (from the French word for "wash") and feminine sprays (or deodorants) supposedly keep a woman's vaginal area smelling fresh and clean. Douching refers to washing out the vagina, usually with a prepackaged mix of fluids. For a lot of girls who are just starting to deal with menstrual periods and other vaginal secretions, these products sound appealing - many girls wonder if they smell or whether people will notice they have their periods. The truth is, under usual circumstances, no one ever smells any odors from a girl's vagina.
In fact, unless a doctor says so, you never need to douche - and feminine sprays and deodorants aren't a good idea either. Feminine sprays and douches are often heavily perfumed and can lead to allergic reactions or even infections in the vagina. Your vagina has its own natural cleaning system that flushes out bacteria, so you don't need to add any chemicals to help it.
Some infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, can lead to an unpleasant fishy odor (again, if a girl has an infection, it's unlikely that people around her will notice a smell, even if she does). The treatment for odors caused by infections is not a spray, but a prescription medication that treats the infection rather than covering it up. If you think you may have a problem, see a doctor or gynecologist right away. As far as your periods go, if you change your pads or tampons frequently and wear clean clothes, no one can ever smell that either.
It's easy to keep your vagina clean without making it smell like a flower shop. Washing every day with a mild soap and plenty of warm water will do the trick. Warm bathing rather than showering daily during your period may reduce menstrual cramps and give you reassurance about feeling clean. During your period, change your pads or tampons often and change your underwear if you happen to soak through your pad or tampon.