Sex Change MTF FTM SRS

Douching after vaginoplasty is required and also fun, as it feels good to be clean.  The mechanical aspect of injecting fluid with a reasonable spray that can mechanically remove collections of secretions, devitilized tissue, and bacteria is highly desirable.

Jelly also accumulates in your vagina from stent usage and should be washed out at least every 3rd day or so, once you have healed sufficiently, say 2 to 3 months post surgery.  Those who have had scrotal graft extensions take somewhat longer than simple penile inversions to heal properly.   Suture fragments which do dissolve need to be irrigated out as well.  Many histologic studies comparing the lining of a vaginoplasty to that of a natal vagina show the cell formation is different and while douching may be optional for natal women, my bias is to be a little more directive for post-surgical patients.

We use a dilute solution of warm water, 3 or 4 parts to 1, of a  50/50 mixture  of hydrogen peroxide and betadine (povodone iodine) solution.  Surely if you are allergic to iodine use an alternate product. At the end of the first week, the packing is removed and the first douche is given in the office.  Verbal and written instructions follow. We supply a sterile Toomey 60 cc syringe which can be kept clean and reussed and a sterile 15 French red rubber catheter which can  also be reused.   We recommend douching every day for the first week after packing is removed, then every other day, for a week or so, then every 3rd day thereafter.

If after wound healing is complete and you detect an odor, try a douche.  If odor persists, of course see your doctor.  Having sex?, take a douche sometime afterward to get the semen out of your vagina as it is very antigenic (may cause allergic reaction).  (MTF)

Harold M. Reed, M.D.