Beyond having no proven benefits, douching can cause many health problems, including bacterial and yeast infections. And if you already have a vaginal infection, it can push bacteria up into your reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease, which in turn can lead to fertility problems.

Douching has been linked to premature births and ectopic pregnancies. Research has also found that it can double the risk for ovarian cancer in women who had a sister with breast cancer. For all these reasons, doctors have been recommending that women not douche. Yet it’s still done by many, including teens. In the United States, almost 20 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 douche.

Why isn’t douching needed? The vagina is designed to clean itself naturally. Rinsing the outside area is safe, and warm water might be all you need. In fact, if your skin is very sensitive, using even a mild soap can be irritating. So can all scented products, including tampons and pads, so you might want to avoid them.

If you’re douching because of hygiene concerns, know that a mild odor that changes throughout the day is normal. It can even become stronger after exercise, but a quick rinse is still all you need.

On the other hand, a strong and unpleasant odor is often a sign of a health issue, such as an infection. Douching won’t correct it and is more likely to make the problem worse, so see your doctor to find out the cause and the right treatment.