Expert warns women against douching

Dr. Celsus Undie, a Urologist with Kelina Hospital, Abuja, on Thursday warned women against douching as it could introduce some chemicals into the vagina.
Undie told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the chemicals might cause inflammation and discomfort in the vagina.
Undie said: “Douching, for instance, can introduce some chemicals into the vagina that may cause inflammation and discomfort.
“People should also be careful with soaps and how they wash themselves.
“Unnecessary washing or use of strong soaps or chemicals, some of which are designed to act as deodorants, can actually be harmful.”
According to Undie, there are natural bacteria present in the vagina, which are completely harmless.
“They cause fermentation within the vaginal and produce an acid, which kills most harmful bacteria,” he said.
He explained that using strong soaps or chemicals for douching could destroy these natural bacteria, thereby exposing the woman to infection.
He added: “Real infection is often due to sexual exposure.
“Occasionally, it is caused by fungi, commonest of which is candida albicans.
“Candidiasis is a very common infection in women.
“It comes with itching and a creamy vaginal discharge.
“There is extreme discomfort when the vaginal wall gets inflamed, swollen and red.
“Candida albicans tends to grow on moist surfaces like between the toes in men, in the cavity of the mouth in those who are immuno-compromised.”
He said that it also grows in the vagina of even very healthy women who have not been sexually exposed.
Undie said that infection in the vagina could be prevented by careful hygiene.
He said: “People should wash their hands with soap each time they use the bathroom.
“Women should wipe themselves from forward back to avoid contaminating the urethral opening or even the vagina. It is a good practice to wash.”
He, therefore, advised women to be careful with deep washing and also avoid strong soaps.