Anything that makes going to the bathroom less traumatic can be a win.
And in my clinic?
Bidets are usually a win.
Let’s talk about why.
Most people don’t realize how much mechanical irritation toilet paper causes.
Wiping—especially aggressive wiping—creates friction. Add in commercial wipes (even the “pure” ones), and you introduce:
Chemical irritants
Preservatives
Fragrances
Harsh synthetic fibers
In patients with:
Hemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Pruritus ani
Perianal dermatitis
That friction worsens inflammation.
In my practice, I routinely advise patients to stop using medicated wipes. Even “water wipes” aren’t as gentle as people think.
The primary benefit of a bidet?
Less perianal and perineal irritation.
Water cleans. Friction inflames.
Some small physiologic studies suggest that the water jet from a bidet may simulate a mild sitz bath — in a bathtub, of course.
Bidets appear to be non-inferior to sitz baths for:
Hemorrhoid symptoms
Post-hemorrhoidectomy discomfort
Is it a miracle cure? No.
Is it a gentle adjunct? Yes.
And sometimes that’s enough.
Bidets:
Reduce toilet paper use
Eliminate “flushable” wipes (which are not actually flushable)
Decrease sewer clogs (Google ‘fatberg’, now, please)
Reduce landfill waste
Afterward, you can:
Pat dry with a reusable towel
Or use a small amount of toilet paper
Over time, it’s cheaper.
Better for your wallet.
Better for the pipes.
Better for the planet.
Historically, there was concern about infection risk. A 1963 paper raised questions about “cross-infection hazards of the bidet.” This paper discussed theoretical cross-contamination risks with bidet use in institutional settings. Importantly, it did not demonstrate increased urinary tract infection rates in modern household bidet use, and later plumbing standards and backflow prevention designs addressed many of the concerns raised at that time.
Modern plumbing connects bidets to the same clean water line as your toilet tank. There is no evidence that bidet use increases UTI rates. A commonly cited modern Japanese study found that bidet use did not increase hemorrhoid incidence, but that excessive bidet use may worsen symptoms in some individuals (everything in moderation, guys!). Most importantly, bidet use did not demonstrate increased infection risk. Kohno et al in 2017 also found no statistically significant increase in UTI incidence, no clear disruption of vaginal flora in healthy women, all of which reinforces that modern bidets (with backflow prevention) do not pose the infection risk once feared!
That said, a few common-sense rules apply:
Use cool or room temperature water when possible
Avoid excessive use
Gently pat dry
Do not aggressively spray internally
A bidet is for external cleaning.
It is not a douche.
At home? Excellent.
Hospitals, hotels, airports?
Use judgment. Nozzle hygiene matters.
But if you’ve ever used a bidet in Japan, you know some are engineered with NASA-level precision. I would trust at least the airport bathrooms in Japan with my life.
Bidets:
✔ Reduce irritation
✔ Help hemorrhoid and fissure patients
✔ Lower environmental waste
✔ Save money
Drawbacks are minimal when used properly.
That’s why one of the Ten Bowel Commandments in Constipation Nation is simple:
Bidet is the way.
References
Lohsiriwat V. Hemorrhoids: From basic pathophysiology to clinical management. World J Gastroenterol. 2012.
Garg P. Conservative treatment of hemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum. 2018.
Bae JH et al. Clinical observations on hygienic toilet systems and anorectal symptoms. J Korean Med Sci. 2010.
Public health plumbing guidelines on cross-contamination prevention.
Kellogg, D. S., & Sunderland, R. (1963). Cross-infection hazards of the bidet. American Journal of Public Health and the Nation’s Health, 53(5), 782–786. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.53.5.782
Kiuchi, T., et al. (2013). Habitual use of warm-water cleaning toilets is associated with anorectal symptoms. Journal of Gastroenterology, 48(2), 221–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-012-0621-5
Kohno, M., et al. (2017). Effect of habitual warm-water bidet toilet use on vaginal microflora and urinary tract infections. International Journal of Urology, 24(3), 194–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/iju.13275
