Showerhead Masturbation, ... Options

[Melissa]

Dear Alice,

Recently I have discovered if I change the settings on my shower head so the water pressure is harder and faster it works wonderfully as a tool for masturbation. My question is, is there any health risks for using water for self pleasure? My main concern is getting water in my vagina...could that cause issues? Thank you so much!

— Fun in the Shower



Dear Fun in the Shower,

Showerhead-as-masturbation-tool is an excellent discovery, but you're right — it's a good idea to avoid spraying water in the vagina. Not to rain on your parade, but some caution is advised. There are several possible risks. Your shower stream could mimic douching (see Douching for more info), which is now widely recognized as being bad for vaginal health. Spraying water inside can rinse away healthy bacteria and other organisms naturally found within and upset the vagina's slightly acidic environment. This increases the risk of problems like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Douching on a regular basis, or before or after sex, may also increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia or gonorrhea. These infections take advantage of the absence of regular vaginal flora to come in and set up shop. It can also irritate vaginal tissue, which may make you more susceptible to STIs. And, if you do have any foreign intruders, douching can force them into the upper genital tract (the uterus, fallopian tubes, and abdominal cavity). A contaminated douche or showerhead can also introduce new infections. Infections can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, a condition that can cause decreased fertility, infertility, and ectopic pregnancies.

Another possible (but rarer) risk is that you could force air inside and potentially cause an air embolism. An air embolism is a pocket of air that enters the blood stream. If an air bubble reaches the heart, lungs, or brain, it could cause permanent damage or even death.

Hopefully, the dangers don't dampen your shower fun. Ideally, you can figure out how to use water pressure and/or the showerhead to stimulate the clitoris and the vulva without shooting water inside the vagina.

Alice