The Ministry of Health has issued a warning about the use of vaginal douches, stating that these products are marketed as feminine hygiene items, deodorants, or pH regulators despite not being necessary or recommended for routine vaginal care.
According to the Ministry’s Directorate of Regulation of Products of Interest and Sanitary Risk (DRPIRS), vaginal douching involves introducing liquids such as water, vinegar, antiseptics, fragrances, or other chemicals into the vagina. The Ministry notes that this practice can disrupt the natural balance of vaginal flora and interfere with the body’s own defense mechanisms.
Scientific studies have shown an association between the use of vaginal douches and increased risks for recurrent vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections, irritation, changes in vaginal pH balance, and reduced fertility.
“The vagina is an organ that possesses a natural self-cleaning system and does not require internal application of products to maintain hygiene. The unnecessary use of these products can cause more harm than benefit,” states the Ministry.
The Ministry also highlights several key points:
– Frequent or indiscriminate use of vaginal douches is risky and may alter normal vaginal flora, increasing susceptibility to infections.
– Marketing these products as essential for intimate hygiene or odor elimination can lead to incorrect practices affecting sexual and reproductive health.
– No product intended for vaginal use should be used without professional medical guidance—especially by pregnant women, adolescents, or those with a history of gynecological infections.
– Symptoms such as abnormal discharge, unpleasant odor, burning sensation, or itching should not be treated with douching but instead require medical evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Recommendations from health authorities include avoiding routine use of douches or inserting any products into the vagina for hygiene purposes. Individuals experiencing gynecological symptoms are advised to consult healthcare professionals rather than self-medicating or using unproven products. The public is encouraged to report misleading promotion of these items for therapeutic or preventive purposes without scientific backing directly to the Ministry via email.
The Ministry’s contact information includes its office at Calle 16 between Avenues 6 and 8 in San José, Costa Rica; telephone number (506) 4003-5000; postal address Apartado postal 10123-1000 San José; with office hours from Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
