To douche with tea tree oil before a smear test?!

[floraeasy]

Was talking with friends today. I have a smear soon. Just mentioned I was going to pick up some tea-tree oil on the way home. They asked what it was for so I told them I douche before these appointments.

I occasionally do it after sex too. In fact I try not to have sex in the few days leading up to an internal.

They were .

Now I feel weird To me, it's like giving my teeth an extra good brush, flossing, mouthwash before seeing dentist. Just preparing myself, you know?

A lot of women in the US seem to have this as part of their regular routine.

By the way, I've been doing this for a few years now and no gynae problems so far.

I wish I hadn't read this and really hope it's not for real. Who the hell disinfects inside their vagina..

No, no, no!

I once put tea-tree oil on a spots as a teenager. It dried the skin out horribly and I ended up with a nasty angry red scab on my face that took ages to disappear. I'd no more squirt tea tree oil up there than I would Tabasco sauce!

Is the water you're using sterile? What about the oil itself? Or the douche, err, nozzle? I feel like you're far more likely to give yourself irritation and infection doing this than if you left well alone.

If you wouldn't scrub and disinfect the inside of your nose or mouth then there's absolutely no need to do it to your vagina either.

As for getting rid of semen after sex, well, doesn't it find its own way out? It's called gravity!

Go To NHS website for info

I had BV due to a coil

It's a simple biology issue.

You're killing all the good bacteria in your vagina. If you're having issues with 'freshness' that's why.

A healthy one doesn't smell of much at all.

I think it is a feminist issue, because women are somehow convinced vaginas are dirty and smelly.
Well they are supposed to be wet and have a particular smell. They are fragile environments not like a mouth, which is built in a different way.

I would also worry that it would change the results of a smear. If you don't like semen up yourself so much, use a condom, it's cleaner

I agree, if you have an odour, a fair bit of grey/white/ yellow discharge then get a GP to take a swab.

You can go to a sexual health clinic you know, they see women for women's health.

Well, I think it's normal for men to clean under their foreskins as part of their general cleaning routine (Because although it's a hidden bit, it's not actually internal). Cleaning inside a vag really isn't necessary.

I am WINCING at the post which suggested spraying the shower directly up it. Or did I read that wrong? I'm sure water at that pressure shouldn't be directed up inside the body like that.

Good lord with all this American vagina bashing!

We have gynecologists because we have vaginas! And we generally see specialist doctors for EVERYTHING. Hence our expensive yet bankrupt healthcare system.

But our vaginas are perfectly fine

JustSpeakSense it's learning words like this : aspergillum that makes me love MN

Gosh no don't do that!

Not only is it not needed, but it could also do you no good. PLUS, there is the issue with it (possibly) affecting your smear test result.

Good lord with all this American vagina bashing!

I'm sure American vaginas are perfectly wonderful

Oh, you DEFINITELY need a round of high count probiotics as you stop douching. Replace the good bacteria and you won't get overrun with bad.

I'm American and I've never heard of this! I've always been taught to wash the external parts only with mild soap and that's it.

Please don't douche especially before a smear as it will wash away the very cells the smear is aiming for to check for potential cancerous changes. I also remember being told to not bath before as well for the same reason.
Leave your vagina alone - I know some docs recommend only using water to clean with as soaps and gels can upset the natural pH too much.
And I do use Tea tree on spots so I agree its good stuff - in the right place!

@floraeasy

Awwww thanks!

I thought tea tree was to deter nits ... I have been know to do a spot of topiary so she can see where she's going but nothing else

I'm wincing at the thought!
Why would you?

I cannot imagine having that conversation with even my closest friends!

This thread is making me want to cross my legs almost as much as the one about the woman who left her mooncup in for a week.
What the hell is wrong with some people!?

.... hang on a sec ! ... you do realise Friday is a bank holiday?! Surely no routine appointments this Friday?

I thought you weren't supposed to douche at all because it flushes out good bacteria? Good lord, I'd have thrush in an instant!