If we’re being honest, there are many medical terms and procedures that the average person has heard of but doesn’t totally understand. And unless you’ve had personal experience with that term or procedure, it makes sense why you don’t completely understand it. One of those: an enema. We’re sure you’re familiar with the basics of an enema, but we want to provide you with a more informed explanation of what exactly it is, how it works, and what it’s used for. Here is your simple, straightforward clarification so you can gain a deeper understanding and avoid the awkwardness of another misunderstood medical term.
What is an enema, and how does it work?
First of all, when you say “enema,” it can refer to either the process or the equipment that you use in the process. Simply put, the process of an enema includes injecting liquid, most often water, into the rectum to cleanse it or stimulate the removal of stool to empty your bowel.1
In regard to the equipment, it’s typically a full kit that includes a bottle—which looks like a hot water bottle that you can find on Apothecary Brands’ website, or most drugstores—along with a hook, pipe, stopper, tubing, and any other pieces you’ll need for the process.
What is an enema used for?
An enema is often used to help relieve chronic constipation or cleanse the bowels in preparation for a medical procedure like a colonoscopy. While the occasional bout of constipation does have other remedy options such as laxatives, for those with chronic constipation, the enema may be required for a more thorough cleanse. For colonoscopies, the bowels must be completely empty; otherwise, there’s a risk of infection with stool possibly getting in the way of the procedure.1
Enemas can also help support gut health. While they are not recommended for daily use, they can support gut health in the two ways we’ve already explained, but also by resetting the bowels and reducing waste or gas. For a proactive approach to gut health, make sure to take probiotics—especially if you’ve recently taken antibiotics, as those can harm gut health2—eat fermented foods and those high in fiber, and stay hydrated.
But more than just for the health of the intestines, enema users have shared other ways that they’ve benefited from the procedure. Some people report enemas having helped with improving skin, immune health, and energy levels, while others claim it has helped them support weight loss and detoxify their bodies.1 While professional medically researched evidence is limited on these claims, it’s hard to argue with personal results.
How to use an enema safely
An enema can be an intimidating process, especially the first time you use one. While instructions on the packaging should walk you through the process step by step, it’s really a simple process: fill the bottle with water, attach the pipe to the bottle, hang the bottle above your head height, insert the pipe, let the bottle empty, remove the pipe, and remain on the toilet until the bowels are fully evacuated. It’s important to be vigilant with safety and best practices so you can feel comfortable and use it effectively. Here are a few guidelines:
- Relax. We know that this can be easier said than done, especially if you haven’t done one before. Remember to take deep breaths to relax yourself and your muscles to make insertion easier.
- Go slowly. Don’t rush the process. Allow the liquid to enter slowly so your body has time to get used to it.
- Use the right water temperature. Warm water is best, typically around that of your body temperature. Water that’s too hot or too cold can cause pain and discomfort.
- Don’t overuse. While an enema is great for the occasional constipation or medical procedure prep, overuse can lead to problems like infection, irritation, or an imbalance in gut biome, which is bad for gut health.
- Clean after use. Always clean the equipment with warm, fragrance-free soapy water after every use.
- Consult an expert. If you’ve never used one before or you’re worried you’re not doing it right, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about proper use. Remember that it’s better to go through a conversation that you feel may be potentially awkward than to use the enema incorrectly and harm the bowels.
In addition to too frequent of use, using them incorrectly, like using the wrong solution—like something that’s too acidic—can do more harm than good. Overuse or using an enema incorrectly can actually harm gut health, negatively alter your electrolyte balance, cause an infection, or lead to dehydration, among other complications.3
While there has not been widespread research that points to the commonality of regular usage, an enema is one of the tried-and-true solutions for constipation, cleansing the colon to prepare for a colonoscopy, and supporting gut health. We know this can feel like an uncomfortable topic to discuss, so we hope this has been an informative look into the process and use of an enema. We also hope that this has helped you realize that it really shouldn’t be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with your doctor at all! They’ve probably had the same conversation many times over. Plus, they’ll be your best guide to answering any other specific questions you have, like frequency of use or any other clarifications you need.
Whether you use one to help relieve constipation, prepare for a medical procedure, or support gut health in general, you should now be a little more confident in using an enema. Prepare your equipment, your step-by-step, and your own mind, and you’ll be an expert in no time.
References
1. Healthline. Are Enemas Safe? Types, Benefits, and Concerns. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/enema-benefits
2. Harvard Health. Should you take probiotics with antibiotics? https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/should-you-take-probiotics-with-antibiotics
3. Cleveland Clinic. Enema https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/enema
