Objectives: This study investigated douching and reduced fertility.
Methods: The monthly probability of conception for douchers and nondouchers was compared in a sample of 840 married, parous women in King County, Washington. Data on the number of months required to conceive were analyzed.
Results: In comparison with nondouchers, women who douched were 30% less likely to become pregnant each month they attempted pregnancy. This relationship remained after adjustment for covariates, and it could not be explained by women douching for medical reasons. The reduction was not related to the type of douching preparation used. Young women who douched had significantly greater reductions in monthly fertility than older women (50% reduction for women 18 to 24 years old, 29% reduction for women 25 to 29 years old, and 6% reduction for women 30 to 39 years old).
Conclusions: Douching was associated with reduced fertility. Further research is needed to determine whether the relationship is casual and, if so, to what extent it is mediated by pelvic infection. In the meantime, women should be informed that douching may have adverse effects.