No, douching can’t prevent pregnancy. In fact, it can actually increase the chances of a girl getting pregnant. Douching is when a girl uses a solution of water and some mild cleanser to wash out the inside of the vagina. The fluid is usually in a squeezable bottle with a long neck that can be inserted into the vagina and then the fluid is pushed up inside. If a girl or woman douches right after sex, the force of the douche liquid can push the semen further into a girl’s body, increasing the chance of pregnancy.

Sometimes girls and women get the idea that they are supposed to douche to keep their vaginas clean, when it’s totally unnecessary. The vagina is one of the cleanest parts of a girl or woman’s body because it cleans itself out every day with its natural lubrication.

Douching is not recommended unless prescribed by a doctor or clinician for a medical reason. Douching can actually harm a girl’s body since it can disturb the natural balance the vagina needs to stay healthy. It can lead to a yeast infection, for example, which happens when the natural balance of the vagina is thrown off.