VAGINAL DOUCHING AND REDUCED FERTILITY

Objectives. This study investigated douching and reduced fertility. Me thods. The monthly probability of conception for douchers and nondouch ers was compared in a sample of 840 married, parous women in King Coun ty, 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 preg nancy. 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. Yo ung 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 wom en 30 to 39 years old). Conclusions. Douching was associated with redu ced fertility. Further research is needed to determine whether the rel ationship is causal and, if so, to what extent it is mediated by pelvi c infection. In the meantime, women should be informed that douching m ay have adverse effects.