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- $Unique_ID{BRK01539}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is Douching With Products Found in the Drugstore Safe?}
- $Subject{douche douching safety Genitourinary System Safe PID pelvic
- inflammatory disease feminine hygiene contraception birth control sexually
- transmitted diseases std venereal vd vagina female hygienes contraceptions
- contraceptive contraceptives genital cleaning cleanliness sex sexual sexually
- active}
- $Volume{J-14}
- $Log{
- Types of Birth Control*0002001.scf
- Risk Factors of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease*0007901.scf
- Pathways of Infection of PID*0007902.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Is Douching With Products Found in the Drugstore Safe?
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-
- QUESTION: I need the answer to a question that is not discussed too
- frequently in columns like yours. I would like to know if douching with
- products found in the drugstore are safe? My girlfriend claims she read that
- these products are the cause of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), and I don't
- need more trouble than I already have. Would you please answer this question
- for me?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: This question involving feminine hygiene certainly does deserve an
- answer, and I have no problem responding to you in this column. The simple
- answer is that when commercially prepared douching products are used as
- directed, and for the purposes indicated in the product literature, they pose
- no special problems for the user. It is possible that there is some link
- between PID and douching, but it is not considered to be cause-effect
- relationship. Douching may be used more frequently by woman who have multiple
- sexual partners, use this as a means of contraception or birth control (it is
- not), hope that it will prevent catching sexually transmitted disease (it
- won't), or to relieve symptoms of an already existing infection. It for this
- reason we find that both douching and PID may exist in the same populations,
- but this fact alone does not establish a one to one tie. Nor does everyone
- who does use this method of feminine cleanliness have some particular worry
- relating to their own sex life. Since it seems as if you might wish to use
- douching for yourself, it is important to become fully informed. Speak to
- your own doctor about the correct method, and ask counsel about products.
- Read the labels most carefully, and stick to the instructions that are
- provided. If PID is a worry in your life, then openly ask your doctor about
- the disease, and find out just what the risk factors are and how to take
- precautions against Sexually Transmitted Disease, the types of infections that
- often lead to PID. Now that I have made the first attempt to provide you with
- the information you requested, the next important steps are up to you.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-