Vaginal douching linked to ovarian cancer risk

A new study carried out by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the US and published in the journal Epidemiology, has examined 40,000 women and found that those that practised vaginal douching were almost twice as likely to get ovarian cancer.

The vagina is a sensitive structure which contains a delicate balance of natural secretions.  Vaginal douching is the practice of washing out the vagina with water or douching products which may disrupt the natural secretions and introduce infections.  Douching products may upset hormone regulation in the vagina.  Although the study looked at a large number of women, only 154 developed ovarian cancer and only 40 of those had douched.

Douching in the 12 months before study entry was reported in 20% of those with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 13% of non-cases which almost doubled the risk of ovarian cancer.

Some women use genital talc and the International Agency for Research of Cancer has classified genital talc as a possible carcinogen, but results from clinical studies are mixed.   In this study, talc was used in the 12 months before the study start by 12% of women who developed ovarian cancer and 14% of those who did not and so this result was not significant.  The authors concluded that “Douching but not talc use was associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer”.

But the data from this study must be taken with caution as it is not certain if it is cause or effect.  It may be that the women that douched did so as they felt irritation or discomfort in their vagina.  The study also did not take into account a family history of ovarian or breast cancer or if the women smoked.

But why take the risk at all?

In a recent interview with NHS Choices, Professor Ronnie Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: “I can’t think of any circumstances where douches are helpful.”

Vaginal hygiene is obviously important.  It is advised to wash around the outside of the vagina with unperfumed soaps and not push any fluids up the vagina.  The vagina cleans itself.

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