Is It Safe to Use a Bidet as an Enema?
Enemas are a safe, non-pharmacological treatment for functional and chronic constipation. Using a bidet as an enema is an accessible and healthy way to relieve constipation naturally. Find out how enemas work, how long medical professionals have used them, and how to use the enema function on your Bio Bidet (or any bidet!)
At-Home Enema, Bidet-Style
Using a bidet as an enema is safe and effective and is one of the reasons we designed the Vortex Wash. Sometimes called the “Bio Bidet Enema Function,” the Vortex Wash is a specialized water stream that concentrates water into a stronger, jet-like spray. It may not treat constipation entirely, but it can help loosen stool and stimulate bowel movements.
Related: Are Juice Cleanses Healthy?
What Is an Enema?
Enemas use fluid to stimulate bowel movements or to clean the bowels before a medical procedure. Enemas are one of the most common treatments for constipation, which causes abdominal discomfort due to hard-to-pass stool.
The Most Common Types of Enemas
There are a few types of enemas that depend on unique liquid solutions to achieve different medical results.
Cleansing Enema
Also known as a water enema, a cleaning enema uses between 300 and 1000 mL of a water-based solution. Healthcare professionals often use a small-volume enema to clean the lower colon before surgery. Large-volume enemas are utilized to relieve constipation.
Oil-Retention Enema
The most common cause of constipation is hard stool. Using an oil-based solution, this type of enema softens stool with a relatively small volume of fluid. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can take an hour or more to work.
Return-Flow Enema
Patients with severe and painful intestinal gas often suffer from chronic constipation. Relieving the trapped gas also helps soften and stimulate stool as well. Also known as a Harris flush, this procedure introduces up to 1,000 mL of fluid to the intestines. As the fluid is drawn out, gas is also removed. The Harris flush is often repeated multiple times for a complete cleanse.
Are Enemas Healthy?
Enemas are safe when applied with sterile tools. Unlike store-bought kits, there’s no contact with the rectum or anus with a bidet, significantly reducing the risk of spreading germs. Some experts warn that consistent enema use can disrupt your natural bowel movement schedule and cause dependency. The evidence suggests that enemas should be used to relieve constipation, not as a preventative measure for any health condition.
Who Invented the Enema?
Enemas have been a staple of gastrointestinal health for thousands of years. The first application of an enema isn’t recorded, but the procedure makes many appearances in recorded history.
Records show that Egyptians administered themselves enemas 3 days a month. Between 1600 and 1550 BCE, documents show that the pharaohs had a servant whose sole responsibility was administering royal enemas.
Interestingly, the enema reached widespread popularity in the 17th century in the French court. That closely links enemas with the clysters that became all the rage with King Louis XIV. Derived from the Greek word for “wash,” clysters were kind of Louis’ thing; he received more than 2,000 enemas during his long life.
Bidets also came to prominence in France, across Europe, and around the world during this same period. There must have been something in the water.
Make Bidets a Part of Your Digestive Health
Bidet seats like the BB-1000 and others feature a Vortex Wash designed to provide an effective, hygienic bidet enema to ease constipation. You can also feel good about reducing your environmental impact by using 75% less toilet paper. Get in touch for help choosing the right bidet for your household today!