Your question is one many hysterectomized women wonder about. It's great to have a forum where these questions can be asked. HERS has counseled over a million women since 1982, about half of them have undergone hysterectomies, and about half have been told they need the surgery. Many hysterectomized women report that they have less vaginal odor than they had before the surgery, and that it is different. There are a number of reasons for this change, including that the top of the vagina is sutured closed during a hysterectomy, so the natural vaginal secretions intact women have that washes away bacteria, is no longer possible.
In women who have an intact uterus it is not advisable to douche because it can push bacteria and other organisms through the cervix ,into the uterus and through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where it can cause pelvic infection. After hysterectomy, because the top of the vagina is sutured shut, douching cannot cause organisms to flow threw the cervix into the uterus because the uterus and cervix have been surgically removed, and the vagina is made into a closed pocket. The bacteria and other organisms that would normally be washed away by your natural secretions now remain trapped in the vagina and can, in time, cause a foul odor. Because a hysterectomized woman's vagina is sutured shut at the top, it is safe to douche. A tablespoon of white vinegar to a quart of warm water used every six weeks (more frequent use may cause dryness) is a gentle solution that will wash away bacteria that can cause a foul odor, and it will help to prevent infection.
For more information watch the video "Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs" at www.hersfoundation.org/anatomy.
Comment Reply
Your question is one many hysterectomized women wonder about. It's great to have a forum where these questions can be asked. HERS has counseled over a million women since 1982, about half of them have undergone hysterectomies, and about half have been told they need the surgery. Many hysterectomized women report that they have less vaginal odor than they had before the surgery, and that it is different. There are a number of reasons for this change, including that the top of the vagina is sutured closed during a hysterectomy, so the natural vaginal secretions intact women have that washes away bacteria, is no longer possible.
In women who have an intact uterus it is not advisable to douche because it can push bacteria and other organisms through the cervix ,into the uterus and through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where it can cause pelvic infection. After hysterectomy, because the top of the vagina is sutured shut, douching cannot cause organisms to flow threw the cervix into the uterus because the uterus and cervix have been surgically removed, and the vagina is made into a closed pocket. The bacteria and other organisms that would normally be washed away by your natural secretions now remain trapped in the vagina and can, in time, cause a foul odor. Because a hysterectomized woman's vagina is sutured shut at the top, it is safe to douche. A tablespoon of white vinegar to a quart of warm water used every six weeks (more frequent use may cause dryness) is a gentle solution that will wash away bacteria that can cause a foul odor, and it will help to prevent infection.
For more information watch the video "Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs" at www.hersfoundation.org/anatomy.
November 28, 2010 - 9:58pmThis Comment
Reply