Contrary to some past reports, new study findings indicate that women who douche do not increase their risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, or genital infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Dr. Roberta B. Ness, at the University of Pittsburgh, and her colleagues followed 1199 women, ages 13 to 36 years, who were considered to be at high risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection. The majority were between 19 and 24 years old and African American.

Overall, 39 percent reported douching at least monthly, according to the team’s report in the American Journal of Epidemiology for January 15th.

Every 6 to 12 months, the participants provided vaginal specimens collected using cotton swab applicators and answered questions regarding lifestyle, medical information, and douching.

Those with pelvic pain or who tested positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia underwent pelvic examinations and an endometrial biopsy.

Over the course of four years, 11 percent of the women developed pelvic inflammatory disease. However, rates were similar among women who did not douche, those who douched once a month, and women who douched two or more times per month.

Also, the results were similar when factors such as the women’s ages and sexual activity in the past year were taken into account.

At least one gonorrhea or chlamydia infection was diagnosed in 22 percent of the women, but again, this was not related to douching or not douching.

“These data do not support an association between douching and development of pelvic inflammatory disease or gonococcal/chlamydial genital infection among predominantly young, African-American women,” Ness and her colleagues conclude.

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, January 15, 2005.