Yes, many people use a bidet after urinating. It provides a highly effective, comfortable, and sanitary alternative to wiping with dry toilet paper alone, helping to leave you feeling refreshed and clean.
While bidets offer excellent hygiene and reduce toilet paper waste, they come with a few notable drawbacks. Potential cons include high upfront costs for electric models, tricky installations, potential disruptions to vaginal flora, and extra bathroom cleaning duties.
When using a bidet, you should spray first and wipe after. Skip the initial toilet paper wipe and go straight to the water. The stream is designed to clean the area efficiently, and a pre-wipe can cause smearing. Afterward, simply pat dry with a few squares of toilet paper.
To use a bidet as a woman, sit normally on the toilet, facing the wall. If using a standalone bidet, you can straddle it facing the controls. Lean slightly forward to center your body, select the gentle "feminine" or front-wash setting, and use toilet paper or a bidet towel to pat dry.
Yes, you should absolutely use a bidet. It is widely recommended for hemorrhoid relief because the gentle stream of water cleans the sensitive, inflamed area without the friction and tearing caused by dry, abrasive toilet paper.
Because of the importance of bathroom hygiene and proper cleaning of soiled areas after bowel movement, the demand for bidets has increased. However, inappropriate use of bidets can damage the colonic mucosa. Here, we report a case of rectal mucosal damage due to inappropriate bowel cleansing habits using a bidet.
Anal Hygiene: How to Cleanup Down There
Good anal hygiene
Gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before going to bed. Use wet toilet paper or a wet washcloth. Use plain water only, or an unscented soap. Wear cotton underwear that isn't tight.
Doctors say bidets can support comfort and hygiene, but only if used properly. Learning to use a bidet properly helps prevent irritation, infection, and overuse.
Muslims use bidets—or water-based cleansing—because personal hygiene and ritual purity (Taharah) are foundational to the Islamic faith.
Once you get the feel for using a bidet, you won't need to wipe before or after, though you may use a square or two to dry off. We found that homes with bidets use 75% less toilet paper than those without bidets. Switching to a bidet reduces toilet paper's impact on your wallet … and the environment.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
You generally do not need to use soap with a bidet. The bidet's targeted stream of water is designed to effectively rinse and clean the area. Many hygiene experts even advise against using soap on sensitive areas, as it can cause dryness and irritation.
Many people find bidets gross due to the mental image of water causing unsanitary splashing, the fear of unclean shared nozzles, or the perceived awkwardness of air-drying or manually drying off afterward.
Using a bidet every day is perfectly fine and highly recommended by medical professionals, provided you use it correctly. Bidets are more effective, sanitary, and gentle than using dry toilet paper alone.
Italy, Japan, and parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia use bidets the most. Usage is deeply embedded in daily hygiene, driven by strict laws, religious traditions, or a preference for advanced technology.
Yes, using someone else's bidet is sanitary—provided it is a modern, well-maintained model. Since the water sprays directly from a clean supply line rather than being recirculated, it is as hygienic as using their shower.
Gynecologists recommend white, unbleached, unscented, and dye-free toilet paper. Scented or ultra-soft varieties often contain lotions, chlorine bleach, or artificial fragrances that can disrupt your natural pH and cause allergic reactions or chronic irritation in sensitive intimate areas.
Bidet Etiquette in Europe
Remember, after using it, you should dry yourself with the dedicated small towel provided or toilet paper before leaving the bathroom. France: While not as ubiquitous as in Italy, bidets in France are often considered a sign of a well-appointed home.
Ideally, you should only need to wipe 1 to 3 times. Wiping until the toilet paper shows little to no residue is the standard for cleanliness. Excessive wiping (more than 5–6 times) can cause painful irritation, itching, or micro-tears in the delicate skin around the anus.
There is no single "correct" way to wipe; it comes down to personal preference, flexibility, and comfort. Both sitting and standing have their pros and cons, and both are widely practiced.
A bidet is a great investment if you're looking for an even more thorough cleaning. Following up wiping with a spray from the bidet will have you feeling fresh in no time. A syringe ball is a bit more involved than even a bidet, but it can offer the most hygienic and thorough cleaning for your private parts.
The "three-and-three" rule is a standard guideline used by gastroenterologists to determine a healthy bowel movement frequency.
White flour, dairy products, processed meat, and spicy foods can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal. Foods high in fiber like beans, whole-grain cereals, green vegetables, and fruits can help heal hemorrhoids and prevent flares.
Yes, hemorrhoids can fully go away. Mild or small hemorrhoids often resolve on their own within a few days to a week with at-home care. However, the underlying, swollen blood vessel structure remains in the body, meaning they can flare up again if the root causes aren't managed.