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Apple Cider Vinegar Douche: Risks or Benefits to Health
It is estimated that almost one in five women between the ages of 15–44 use a vaginal douche. This is an extraordinarily high number given that healthcare providers do not recommend the outdated act of vaginal douching for general cleaning or treating yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.
Not only is douching unnecessary, but it can also have negative health consequences. The act of douching can alter the normal vaginal bacteria that keep the vagina healthy, and allow disease-causing bacteria to take over. In one study, women who douched recently (within the last seven days) had the highest risk of developing bacterial vaginosis or BV.
The vagina can clean itself and does not require additional help, producing mucus to help clear itself of blood and semen. It is also important to understand that a healthy vagina may have a slight odor, but if there is a concern, please talk to your doctor.
Does Douching With Apple Cider Vinegar Work?
The quick answer is no. Apple cider vinegar douching does not prevent or treat bacterial vaginosis, and no scientific studies have shown apple cider vinegar douching to be effective for BV.
People correlate apple cider vinegar’s antimicrobial properties with its ability to treat vaginal infections. However, it is an acidic solution being flushed into the vagina that can cause irritation to the sensitive vaginal skin and help bacteria access the uterus.
Apple Cider Vinegar Douche For BV
Despite recommendations, various internet articles discuss the use of an apple cider vinegar douche for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Supporters of this theory often cite a study showing apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties against many different bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. However, they need to mention that this was a lab test, and these claims have not been tested on humans.
Even more importantly, no studies support the use of apple cider vinegar douches in treating bacterial vaginosis. Rather, this practice has multiple concerns as it can mask symptoms of BV and lead to more serious conditions.
As mentioned before, researchers identified an increased risk of BV in recently douched women. This finding was confirmed by a longitudinal study which noted an increased risk of normal flora disruption and the development of BV with douching.
More concerning though, is that frequent vaginal douching increases the risk of endometrial infections (infections in the uterus lining). Complications of these serious infections include pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic abscesses, and infertility.
So, whether you use soaps, apple cider vinegar, or plain water, douching can seriously harm a woman’s health. In addition, it is unnecessary and thus should be avoided.
Treatment Options For Bacterial Vaginosis
Medical Treatment
If you are concerned that you may have bacterial vaginosis, it is important to contact your doctor and be evaluated. BV can be diagnosed using a pelvic exam in which your doctor may identify vaginal cells with bacteria adhered to them (clue cells), a fishy order, vaginal discharge, and elevated pH levels.
Once diagnosed, your doctor can prescribe one of the following medications to treat BV:
- Metronidazole oral pills or vaginal cream.
- Clindamycin oral pills or vaginal creams.
- Tinidazole oral pills.
- Secnidazole oral granules.
The most commonly prescribed drugs are metronidazole and clindamycin, where the oral forms are as equally effective as the vaginal forms.
When To Seek Medical Attention
If you are experiencing any of the following, contact your doctor:
- Vaginal discharge with a bad or unusual odor.
- Vaginal itching with a thick, white discharge.
- Swelling, burning, and redness around the vagina.
- Pain with urination or during sex.
These symptoms should not be ignored. Delaying treatment will only result in worsening symptoms and a greater risk of complications.
Tips for BV or a Yeast Infection at Home
Unfortunately, there are no good treatment options over-the-counter to treat bacterial vaginosis. Over-the-counter medications such as miconazole and clotrimazole can be purchased to treat vaginal yeast infections, like those caused by Candida albicans. However, if you are unsure of the diagnosis or this is the first time you have experienced symptoms, you should be evaluated by a physician to ensure the proper treatment.
As the Dutch philosopher, Desiderius Erasmus, once said, “Prevention is better than cure.”. Thus at-home methods should be geared toward preventing bacterial infections. Here are some methods that can help reduce your risks:
- The use of condoms during sexual intercourse has been shown to reduce the risks of developing bacterial vaginosis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Some forms of hormonal birth control can reduce your risk of BV but are typically reserved for those with frequent episodes of BV.
- Never transition directly from anal sex to vaginal sex.
- Avoid douching.
- Boric acid vaginal suppositories have been used successfully to reduce BV after treatment. However, do not use it if you are pregnant, and do not take it orally.
- The use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR is effective and may reduce the risk of getting BV and a vaginal yeast infection.
- If you have recurrent bacterial vaginosis infections, ask your doctor about the long-term use of preventative metronidazole antibiotics.
Apple Cider Vinegar Douche Risks
An apple cider vinegar douche is not effective in treating bacterial vaginosis, and it can also increase the risk of BV infections and complications. It disrupts the normal vaginal flora, which could lead to the growth of bad bacteria.
In addition, the skin in and around the vaginal area is very sensitive, and using an acidic solution such as an apple cider vinegar douche can cause discomfort, irritation, redness, and excessive drying. A pH-neutral cleaning solution to clean the external skin around the vagina can be used if needed.
Conclusion
Natural remedies are frequently used to treat various health conditions. Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy suggested to help with numerous health conditions. Many believe the health benefits of apple cider vinegar can be obtained by drinking apple cider vinegar, taking apple cider vinegar baths, or using an apple cider vinegar douche. However, not all recommendations are backed by scientific research, including the use of an apple cider vinegar douche to treat common vaginal infections.
An apple cider vinegar douche can alter the vaginal pH resulting in the growth of harmful vaginal microorganisms that can result in vaginal infections. In addition, frequent vaginal douching can increase the risk of complications associated with BV. Therefore, a vaginal douche, especially an apple cider vinegar douche, should not be used for any reason.
+ 6 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Douching. womenshealth.gov. Published February 21, 2017. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
- Ness R. Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2002;100(4):765-772. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02184-1
- Yagnik D, Serafin V, J. Shah A. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Reports. 2018;8(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18618-x
- Brotman RM, Klebanoff MA, Nansel TR, et al. A longitudinal study of vaginal douching and bacterial vaginosis–a marginal structural modeling analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2008;168(2):188-196. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwn103
- Gondwe T, Ness R, Totten PA, et al. Novel bacterial vaginosis-associated organisms mediate the relationship between vaginal douching and pelvic inflammatory disease. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2019;96(6):439-444. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-054191
- CDC. Bacterial Vaginosis – STI Treatment Guidelines. www.cdc.gov. Published July 19, 2021. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/bv.h