Public health group opposes feminine hygiene douching practices

The American Public Health Association (APHA) recently adopted 20 policies addressing a wide spectrum of health-related issues, including one on personal hygiene, at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The association opposes feminine hygiene douching practices. Research has shown a relationship between vaginal douching and several adverse health outcomes such as pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, cervical cancer, HIV transmission, and infertility. APHA is urging the FDA to review its regulations on feminine hygiene douching products and require research on the safety of douching. In addition, the association recommends that the public health community increase its efforts to provide women with culturally competent information about the risks of douching. More information is available at