Objectives. The meta-analysis described here reviewed the current lite
rature on adverse health effects of vaginal douching. Methods. Papers
published in English from 1965 through 1995 were potentially eligible.
Results. One third of White women and two thirds of Black women of re
productive age reported douching regularly. Analyses indicated that va
ginal douching increases the overall risk of pelvic inflammatory disea
se by 73% and the risk of ectopic pregnancy by 76%. Frequent douching
was shown to be highly associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and
modestly associated with cervical cancer. Conclusions. Current Litera
ture suggests that frequent douching increases the risk of pelvic infl
ammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and, possibly, cervical cancer.