I've seen a lot of articles stating that it is actually bad for the vagina as it upsets the ph balance and destroys good bacteria.  This good bacteria actually keeps the vagina clean and does what people think douching does.  I wanted to see what others have heard about this.  Just as a client, I would not be disappointed if my provider did not douche.  I just don't see it being relevant given that most of the providers I see do not allow BBFS.  I realize that BV can be common, as Erin pointed out to me a few weeks ago, but I understand it is treatable by pills and not necessarily something that could harm the client.  It just means you should carry a clothespin in your back pocket if you really enjoy DATY.  lol

For many of the reasons you pointed out, douching isn't healthy.  Also, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ; it naturally pushes bad stuff out all the time, and douching can actually cause yeast infections and BV.  BV isn't treated with douching, and doing so can actually make the infection worse.  

To each their own, I suppose. But douching is completely unnecessary and often causes problems.

-- Modified on 7/28/2014 7:03:09 AM

That's so bad for you.

BTW for anyone who happens on this, if you're having problems that make you think you need to, try swapping to latex-free condoms (Lifestyles are polyisoprene and way thinner/stretchier than the polyurethane ones) and also silicone based lube.  Water based lube is more or less what they put in a petri dish and it's serious bacteria food.  Probably not a big issue for people who use it a couple of times a week, but when you f*@& like it's your job... Lol.

(BTW, I don't have any interest in it whatsoever, but did you know uberlube is an Evanston based company?  And when I asked they made a very generous donation of product to SWOP.  It's good stuff and they're pretty great people.  Just sayin')

the Lifestyles SKYN brand is great, and protects just as a latex condom would.  Just be aware that lambskin  condoms are only effective at preventing pregnancy, and completely ineffective at preventing STI transmission.  

Good advice on the lube, too.  Silicone lube is hypoallergenic.

SWOP is a great group, glad to see it being active

The articles are correct, I don't even know why they even sell douche products to be honest.

I remember someone discussing water-base lube on this thread and I just wanted to add an other interesting fact.

A lady at a sex shop told me that water based lube is also better than oil based when it comes to using toys. Some toys will become damage with oil based lube so if you have a chest at home that looks like a Toys R' Us after dark store, buy some water based lube(and cleaning spray of course)

I switched about a year ago because I was developing sensitivity to latex... and I love them. Thin, stretchy, comfortable for the gents and me. And I've been using silicone lube forever, too... doesn't dry out or get sticky like water-based. It's da bomb!

Does a bag count

Do they make them in bigger sizes as well?

in all my years of playing with silicone toys and silicone lube, I've never had an issue with the lube degrading the toys.  supposedly, you're not supposed to use silicone lube with silicone toys, but if you're buying high-quality silicone lube there's not much of a problem.  but, to each their own; use what you're comfortable using.

As of just a couple months ago!  Hooray!!!  I haven't seen them in stores, but you can order them several places (I use amazon).

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