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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit [hmm] as to why a bottle of dettol has instructions on how to douche?

85 replies

rainydaysarebad · 03/08/2012 12:03

Bought a bottle to treat cuts and scratches and found instructions on how much to mix with water to douche with. It is widely known that douching is bad for you, and messes with the pH of your vagina. Wth would a bottle of dettol give you instructions to do it? I mean I dont see how shoving dettol up there would treat you for any problems. Isn't it a bit irresponsible isn't it? Or maybe not? Intrigued.

OP posts:
GetOrfMoiRing · 03/08/2012 12:05

Christ why would you put it up there?

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 03/08/2012 12:06

Ouch!

Original poster
rainydaysarebad · 03/08/2012 12:07

I don't know GetOrf! That's why I was a bit Hmm. Maybe it's a secret thing many women do? I don't know!

OP posts:
JumpingThroughHoops · 03/08/2012 12:10

I feel the need to share with you!

The practice of douching is now largely restricted to the United States, where douching equipment is often available in pharmacies. A 1995 survey quoted in the University of Rochester study found that 27% of U.S. women age 15 to 44 douched regularly, but that douching was more common among African-American women (over 50%) than among white women (21%).[3]

and

Vaginal douches may consist of water, water mixed with vinegar, or even antiseptic chemicals

Original poster
rainydaysarebad · 03/08/2012 12:16

Thanks jumping. I wonder why women would want to clean themselves up there and why would such a big company continue to write instructions on the bottle.

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 03/08/2012 12:19

Was it a foreign bottle? I've never noticed that before!

I love Dettol. I used to be partial to 2 capfuls in my bath but I've never squirted it up there!

PeshwariNaan · 03/08/2012 12:23

Women between the world wars used to douche with Lysol/ Dettol as a contraceptive method. The habit hung on too long after proper contraception was invented.

StealthPolarBear · 03/08/2012 12:23

Can someone please explain douchibg? Do you just put it on a flannel and sort of push it up?
I too like dettol but thats making my eyes water. What do they think it achieves?

Halbanoo · 03/08/2012 12:28

Calling bull on those statistics re: douching in the US.

American here and I don't know of anyone who douches anymore. I suspect it's a bit "old school" and probably something only women of a certain generation do anymore (if their gynos haven't told them otherwise...)

I remember my mother buying the kits when I was a child (I was always rummaging through the bathroom cupboards...) The boxed kit had a bottle with some florally decor, woman looking pensive, and a bottle that had a vinegar solution that you somehow squeezed northward...and it would somehow drizzle out, I suppose.

Original poster
rainydaysarebad · 03/08/2012 12:29

Don't think it is a foreign bottle. Dh got it from our local Co-Op.

I'm not sure how women douche, but I think they squirt stuff up there and use a brush (might be wrong).

OP posts:
somedayma · 03/08/2012 12:33

a brush?! :o

somedayma · 03/08/2012 12:34

oh that was supposed to be a shocked face. I definitely wouldn't grin at the thought of brushing my hoo ha

MardySkimpyBeachVolleyballBra · 03/08/2012 12:38

I've noticed DD's teenage friends using "douche" and "douchebag" as an insult on Facebook. Bloody americanisms. I should defriend them. They only want me because FB is a numbers game/popularity contest, I'm sure.

squoosh · 03/08/2012 12:38

I remember reading once (in Marie Claire I think) that douching with Dettol is common practice in some African countries as a dry vagina is seen as more desirable by men. Creates more friction during sex or something.. I think.

Sounds horrific.

Alaro · 03/08/2012 12:40

squoosh OOWWWWWW Shock

MardySkimpyBeachVolleyballBra · 03/08/2012 12:41

Amber You put it in your bath? I hate the smell of Dettol. It always reminds me of when I was sick as a child and my mum used to use it to disinfect the loo/bucket afterwards.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 03/08/2012 12:45

Not a brush I don't think.
I remember many (20+) years ago reading a book by Britt Ekland and she advocating using a douche (but not with Dettol) after AF and after sex.

Seems quite common practise on the continent.

There was a photo- seemed like a mahoosive syringe thing with a plunger and a tube.

FalseStartered · 03/08/2012 12:48

like a chimney sweep for fannies?

JumpingThroughHoops · 03/08/2012 12:50

A douche is like a ball with a tube, similar to a blood pressure squeezy thing. fill it up, squirt it up.

Originally it was used to erm clean out menstrual blood Hmm

oldraver · 03/08/2012 13:00

A brush Shock I've got visions of one of those small mop head-a-like things you used to get for dishwashing

StealthPolarBear · 03/08/2012 13:02

"a dry vagina is seen as more desirable by men. Creates more friction during sex "
wonder what's in it for the woman Hmm

clean out menstrual blood? Mine falls out nicely on its very own.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/08/2012 13:03

Isn't it just like an enema for your vag? and just as pointless/potentially harmful

SchrodingersMew · 03/08/2012 13:06

I have done it as a teen after AF as I felt unclean. Blush I used the shower though and took shower attatchment off so it was just the hose...

Have also bum douched after being ill. Blush

SchrodingersMew · 03/08/2012 13:06

It'sAll Yes, you are correct.

Subarashii · 03/08/2012 13:07

Snuck at "woman looking pensive" :o