Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/150

And, finally, the douche is by no means a reliable contraceptive, seeing that in the nature of things it must come after the ejaculation has taken place. Its effects can hardly be expected to follow up the sperm after their entry into the uterus. Presumably, often if the douche is at all effective, it is due to local chill and shock, neither of which can be good for the woman. Unfortunately, those who are now forced by reason of its ineffectiveness to concede that the douche is an unreliable contraceptive, nevertheless, still continue to advocate it as a daily hygienic measure.

Comment.—I condemn douching entirely except for rare and occasional use, or as a definite form of treatment for disease. As a contraceptive measure by itself all douching is unreliable, unwholesome, and psychologically harmful.