Doctor clarifies myths and truths about ‘douche’; check out the tips

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“Douche” is the expression commonly adopted by the LGBTQ+ community to describe the process of washing the rectum before having anal sex. This procedure, which aims at internal cleaning, is often carried out to avoid leaving residues of feces on someone else’s member. Although it is a widespread practice, it is necessary to discuss its implications for health and the correct techniques, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of those involved.

In his account on X, doctor Vinícius Borges, known as ‘Doctor Maravilha’, shared tips about the douche process, as well as providing relevant information about human anatomy. He emphasizes the importance of knowing one’s own body well to perform this practice safely and effectively: “It’s not obligatory, but many people only manage to relax when they do it“, Borges explains.

Tips from Dr. Maravilha on the douche process

• POOPING BEFORE SEX: A recommended practice is to evacuate shortly before sexual activity, leaving the rectum empty. The feces usually accumulate in the sigmoid colon, which has a curved shape to facilitate this storage and reduce the speed of intestinal transit. When evacuating, the rectum becomes practically empty, although it may still contain mucus and residues. “Don’t expect a crystal-clear stream”, Dr. Borges endorses.
• PERSONAL DOUCHING: It is advisable to use a personal douching kit, purchased at pharmacies, to avoid the risk of contamination. Sharing equipment like douches can result in the transmission of diseases such as HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and parasitic infections. “Sharing douches can transmit contamination”, emphasizes Dr. Vinícius.
• APPROPRIATE DOUCHING: Care should be taken not to use inappropriate objects that may cause injuries, such as hoses or objects with sharp edges. “Be cautious with objects with sharp edges, as there is a chance of intestinal perforation”, warns the infectious disease specialist.
• JUST WATER: It is recommended to use room temperature or slightly warm water to avoid burns to the mucous membrane. The ideal amount is around 150 to 200 ml to avoid excessive increase in intestinal transit and possible cramps. “Excessive volume of water can also perforate the rectum”, Vinícius warns.
• MODERATION: Performing douching too frequently can compromise the mucus layer that protects and lubricates the intestine, potentially causing dependence on the practice for bowel movements. Balance and self-awareness are fundamental. “Common sense is what matters. Each organism is unique, so observe how yours is behaving”, emphasizes Dr. Maravilha.
• FIBER, WATER, AND EXERCISE: A diet rich in fiber, combined with adequate water intake and regular exercise, aids in maintaining a healthy intestinal transit, facilitating anal sex practice. “By evacuating daily, you gain greater control over the amount of accumulated feces and can evacuate when you intend to engage in sexual activity”, Dr. Maravilha explains.
• 20 CENTIMETERS: In the case of penetration with objects or penises exceeding 20 cm, there may be movement of feces in the sigmoid colon region, potentially resulting in ‘messiness’ during the act. However, it is not advisable to use such intense douching that reaches these higher areas of the intestine. “The anal canal measures around 4 cm, and the rectum measures around 12-16 cm, totaling approximately 20 cm, which is generally where penetration occurs. Therefore, considering the average size of penises, there is no need to clean a greater length than that.”, concludes Dr. Vinícius.

Does a penis or dildo have more than 20 cm?

“The rectosigmoid holds feces in the sigmoid portion of the colon, which lies above the rectum, about 10 to 15 centimeters long. This segment remains closed until our body is ready to evacuate. The sigmoid, positioned horizontally in the body at an angle close to 90 degrees, is the final resting place of feces before they bend at the rectosigmoid junction and exit the body through the rectum. When the body detects the flow of feces or the presence of a larger penis or object, the position of the rectosigmoid shifts from angular to start straightening, which may result in the release of more feces. And yes, this can make a mess, but it’s not a guaranteed occurrence, and we don’t recommend douching with such a strong water flow that it reaches such high parts of the intestine.”, clarifies Doctor Maravilha.

– BKDR –

“In summary, respect the limits of your body. Pain is not something positive – and getting hurt isn’t either. With awareness, you can experience pleasure and maintain health. And don’t forget about lube, the best friend of anal sex, along with your proctologist. Remember that you’ll need your rectum for more than just anal sex.”, he ends.

To follow Dr. Vinícius Borges: @DoutorMaravilha

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