Vaginal douches

What is a vaginal douche?

A vaginal douche consists of a bulb or a hose connection with a soft, rounded nozzle. You use it to let a small amount of water flow in and straight back out. Rinsing inside is never necessary for your hygiene, because the vagina keeps itself clean. For everyday freshness you only wash the outside with lukewarm water, perhaps with a mild product from our intimate care range.

A squeeze bulb or a shower attachment?

• With a squeeze bulb you fill the bulb with water and decide for yourself how gently it flows in. You can use it anywhere.
• As an attachment this nozzle fits onto your shower hose, so there is nothing to fill. Always keep the water pressure low.
• Material there are models in soft silicone and in sturdier polyethylene. A silicone nozzle bends slightly as you insert it.

If you want to rinse anally, use a separate anal douche, and never the same nozzle for both.

How do you use a vaginal douche?

1. Rinse it first clean even a brand-new douche with warm water before use.
2. Use lukewarm water take tap water at body temperature, without soap, vinegar, lemon juice or other additions.
3. Insert gently a few centimetres is enough, and a drop of water-based lube on the nozzle makes it smoother.
4. Let it flow in slowly use no pressure, let the water run straight back out and stop if anything feels unpleasant.
5. Clean it wash the douche after use with warm water and mild soap or a sex toy cleaner, and leave it open to dry.

Keeping your douche clean and dry

A squeeze bulb often holds on to some water after rinsing, and bacteria grow in a damp bulb. So squeeze it completely empty a few times after cleaning, remove the nozzle if you can and let both parts dry upside down. Rinse a shower attachment and let it dry separately from the hose. Store your vaginal douche apart from other toys and from an anal douche, for example in its own pouch. If the inside turns cloudy or discoloured, replace it with a new one.

Why no soap or tea tree in a vaginal douche?

The inside of the vagina is slightly acidic, and that acidity protects the lining. Soap, tea tree, vinegar, lemon juice or a disinfectant upset that balance and can irritate the mucous membrane. An intimate wash is also meant for the outside, not for rinsing inside. If you choose to use a vaginal douche, use only lukewarm water. If you want to feel fresh before sex, a warm shower for the outside is usually enough.

When is it better not to douche?

Do not use a vaginal douche if you are pregnant or have just given birth, and ask your midwife if you have questions. If you have pain or a symptom you are not sure about, see your GP instead of rinsing. Douching after sex does not prevent pregnancy and does not protect against STIs either, so use condoms for that.

Frequently asked questions about vaginal douches