About Lyndsay Mercier Expertise I can answer mostly any question regarding STD transmission, symptoms, and outlook.
Experience I am currently trained and certified in Sexuality Peer Education and teach an STI course at Northern Michigan University.
Organizations I am the President of a student organization known as VOX:Voices for Planned Parenthood, which is an organization focused on sexual health and reproductive freedom.
Publications I have written an article regarding teen pregnancy for www.Teenwire.com, which is due to be published on June 24th.
Education/Credentials I am currently pursuing my BS in Psychology with a double minor of Sociology and Gender Studies.
Expert: Lyndsay Mercier Date: 7/6/2008 Subject: Should I douche?
Question I'm really embarrassed to be asking this question... and yes, I know that usually the answer is "No." But here's the thing... uh... the other day my boyfriend and I tried anal sex. Well, we know the risks and tried to be careful but cross-contamination occurred. I didn't even realize it till days later when we had vaginal sex and well by all appearances there was some fecal matter up there. So I ran to the store and bought cranberry juice, probiotic yogurt drinks, and douche. It was the best I can think of. I don't feel sick, but I also don't have health insurance and well, this is really gross and scary.
Thanks.
Answer Suzie,
Sometimes women think that if they had unprotected sex and they douche afterwards, that it will clean all the semen out of them. But, the opposite can happen-it can just push the semen further into her.
The reason I bring this up is because I'm guessing that the same would be true if you wanted to clean out any possible "fecal matter" from your vagina. I do not think this would be a good idea, because if there is rectal bacteria present, it would not be a good idea to possible push it further into your body.
You're right, cross-contamination is not a good thing, but chances are that you're probably in the clear if you haven't had any problems and its been days. Not to mention that you didn't notice this possible "fecal matter" until a few days later...is it possible that it wasn't fecal matter at all? The vagina is a naturally self-cleaning organ, and after a few days, it seems that it would have probably been cleared out by then.
Even if there had been fecal matter in your vagina, the worst that can really happen is that you could possibly get a vaginal bacterial infection or a urinary tract infection. These are both easily treated.
