Vaginal douche practices among black women at risk: exploring douching prevalence, reasons for douching, and sexually transmitted disease infection.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify douching patterns and their relation to sexually transmitted disease (STD) among black women seeking an STD evaluation.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional survey with biologic testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection.

RESULTS

Of 891 participants, 46.1% were current douchers. Commonly identified reasons for douching were to cleanse after menses (65.4%) and to feel fresh (42.2%). Frequent douching was associated with douching after sex (P<0.001), to alleviate an itch (P<0.001), and to feel fresh (P<0.001). Women who douched during menses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13-20.13) and to alleviate an itch (AOR=3.66; 95% CI=1.00-13.41) were more likely to have a current chlamydial infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Douching was common among this high-risk population of black women. Prospective studies are needed to determine the consequences of douching and any mediating effects of women's motivation for the behavior on reproductive health.