Anal Douching: What to Know

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on June 12, 2024
Written by Shishira Sreenivas
8 min read

Anal douching is using a device, such as a squeeze bottle or tube, to squirt water or other liquids into your rectum to clean it. Some people do anal douching before having anal sex or just to feel cleaner. 

Anal douching isn't necessary, and it does carry some risks. Most of the time, poop is too high up in your colon to make a mess when you have anal sex. A diet high in fiber is usually enough to keep the inside of your rectum clean, and showering will take care of the outside. 

But if you’re planning to give anal douching a try, it's important to know how to do it safely.

People of all gender identities can practice anal douching. But a study that looked at over 1,700 people found that anal douching was more common among men. More than 7 out of 10 men did anal douching, while over 3 in 10 women did.

The study reported that among men who have sex with men, more than 5 in 10 men did anal douching before having anal sex.

Preparation for sex

One of the main reasons people do anal douching is to prepare for anal intercourse or for "rimming," which is when one partner performs oral sex on another partner's anus. They may want to keep the sight or smell of poop from spoiling the mood. Anal douching could help them feel more confident and relaxed during sex.

It's possible that anal douching before sex could reduce your chances of catching infections like shigellosis that are spread by poop. But we need more research on this. To prevent these infections, the CDC recommends:

  • Washing your hands, privates, and anus with soap and water before and after sex
  • Using condoms or dental dams during sex 
  • Avoiding sex when you or a partner has diarrhea

Cleanliness

You don't need to do anal douching to have a clean rectum, but people sometimes do it to feel cleaner. It is possible for bits of poop to get stuck to the walls of your rectum, especially if you have a low-fiber diet or don’t have regular, solid bowel movements. 

Constipation

When you inject a fluid into your rectum to get relief from constipation, it's called an enema rather than anal douching. But the process is similar. You can have an enema at your doctor's office or buy a kit over the counter. Several types of fluids can be used for enemas, including saline solutions, mineral oil, and glycerin.

Enemas are safe and effective when used correctly. But it's important not to use them too often. This can have a rebound effect and result in lasting constipation problems. Before you try one, step up your fluid and fiber intake to see if that helps. Then try taking stool softeners by mouth. 

If neither of those does the trick, you might try an enema. To do one safely, follow the instructions on the package. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor how to do it. You’ll probably see results in about 2-5 minutes. But if you notice side effects like bleeding, pain, blistering, a burning sensation, or other types of irritation in the area, tell your doctor. Don’t use enemas for more than a week at a stretch unless a doctor approves it.

Popular methods of anal douching include:

Anal douche bulb

This is one of the most common and affordable types of anal douching kits. It usually includes two pieces – a rubber or silicone bulb and a nozzle that you insert into it. To use it, fill the bulb with water or saline solution and insert the nozzle into your butt. Squeeze the bulb to release the water. 

Water bag douche

This contains a bag similar to a hot water bottle that you can hang high on a hook. One end has a long tube that you can insert into your butt. It also usually comes with an adapter to control the flow. The design allows it to be portable and easy to use. But you’ll need to clean it and replace it often to avoid infections.

Saline enemas (Fleet enemas)

Saline enemas are over-the-counter kits sold as laxative treatments. But you can also safely use them for anal douching. You might hear them called Fleet enemas, which is one brand name you may see in the drugstore. Just make sure you get the kind with saline solution, not the medicated laxative type. The nozzles on this type of enema kit come pre-lubricated, so they're easy to use.

Shower hose attachments

This is a hose you install on your shower to use for anal douching.These are a bit tricky to use. You'll have to be careful that neither the water pressure nor the water temperature is too high. You don't even need to insert this type into your rectum. Just use it right at the opening of your anus. 

Ear wax or baby mucus bulb syringe

These little plastic tools you can find at the drugstore are meant for sucking mucus out of a baby's nose or washing wax from your ears. But when filled with warm saline or water, they work well for anal douching. Their small size ensures that you don't use too much liquid. You use them the same way as an anal douche bulb.

The best way to have a clean gut is to have a diet high in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise often. But if you’re looking to try anal douching, there are few things you should keep in mind. Here are some tips for how to anal douche safely:

  • Apply a lubricant to the nozzle to reduce your odds of tearing, swelling, or bleeding.
  • Gently slip the nozzle or tube inside your butt. Never force it in.
  • During your first try, only squeeze or squirt water in for about 10 seconds. It may feel strange at first, but you don’t need too much water. You only need to clean the first few inches inside your butt.
  • Try to hold the water in for a bit. You can hold your breath for this. To release it, breathe out and relax.
  • Repeat the process till the water comes out clean.
  • If you're planning to have sex afterward, it's best to wait about an hour so that all the liquid can come out first. 

What not to do while douching

Things you shouldn’t do include:

  • Don’t rush it. Going slowly will reduce your odds of hurting yourself in the process.
  • Don’t douche before you check the water temperature. While you may like a hot shower, the same temperature water could burn your insides.
  • Don’t use tap water too often. It can upset the balance of chemicals called electrolytes in your body. It may be safest to use saline solution. This type of solution comes with a saline enema kit, or you can make it at home by mixing a half-teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of water. 
  • Don’t use olive oil, bleach, alcohol, or any other household item or chemical in an anal douche. This can cause serious harm to your gut health.
  • If you’re using a bulb to douche, after you squeeze it, don’t let go of it right away, as water with poop particles in it might get sucked back into the bulb. This makes the bulb unsanitary and unusable.
  • Don't do anal douching if you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures.

Studies show that douching can increase your risk of getting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Anal douching can irritate or damage the inner mucus lining of your rectum (called rectal mucosa). When this happens, you’re more likely to get HIV or other infections, especially if you don’t use protection in the form of condoms or PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis), a type of medication you take to reduce your odds of getting HIV from sex..

In fact, one study found that those who douche had 74% higher odds of reporting an STD in the past year, compared with those who don’t douche. 

If you do it too often, anal douching could also cause problems with constipation. Your body may start to need an enema before you can poop.

 

 

Anal douching is done in the rectum, while vaginal douching is done in the vagina.

Most doctors don’t recommend vaginal douching, as a healthy vagina is a mix of good and bad bacteria that help to maintain a proper acidic environment. This allows the vagina to self-clean, and it naturally carries a distinct odor.

Douching your vagina throws off this healthy balance and puts you at a higher risk of infections and other health problems. This can include pelvic inflammatory syndrome, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. In some cases, it can cause sex to be painful.

 

To avoid damaging the lining of your butt, do anal douching no more than once per day and no more than 2-3 days a week.

If you’re unsure how to do it, hurt yourself in the process, notice any side effects from anal douching, or have symptoms of an STD, talk to your doctor right away.

Anal douching means using squirting water or other liquids into your rectum to clean it. It's not necessary, but some people do it to prepare for anal sex or to feel cleaner. If you choose to do anal douching, take your time, use caution, and don't overdo it. 

What is the purpose of douching for men?

Some men do anal douching to:

  • Prepare for anal sex
  • Avoid spoiling the mood during sex
  • Boost their confidence
  • Feel cleaner 

What is the difference between douching and an enema?

Anal douching and enemas use the same process and sometimes the same equipment. It's usually called anal douching when you use a fluid to cleanse your rectum. It's called an enema when done to relieve constipation. Anal douching is done with water or saline solution, while enemas may use laxatives or other fluids.

Is tap water OK for douching?

It's OK to use tap water for anal douching now and then. But don't use it every day, or it could cause an imbalance of chemicals called electrolytes in your body. Saline solution, which you can buy or make at home, is usually safest.