Sitz Baths

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How to take a Sitz bath

Some people use sitz baths regularly as a way to cleanse the perineum. In addition to its use in cleansing, the sitz bath’s warm water increases blood flow to the perineal area. This can promote faster healing. A sitz bath also relieves itching, irritation, and minor pain.

Common reasons why you might want to consider using a sitz bath include:

• You recently had surgery on the vulva or vagina.
• You’ve recently given birth.
• You recently had hemorrhoids surgically removed.
• You have discomfort from hemorrhoids.
• You have discomfort with bowel movements.

The Physiomedical Dispensatory by William Cook, M.D., 1869

This consists merely of sitting down into a tub or regular burdette properly filled with water of the warmth selected. Usually it is fairly warm or nearly hot, and is of great value for relieving the congestion and suffering of acute dysentery, acute inflammation of the bladder or kidneys, or neuralgic and rheumatic tenderness of the womb and other female organs. In such cases, the temperature can be borne pretty warm, and the bath needs to have more hot water added to it from time to time. The patient should be well covered while using this bath: and may sit in it from ten to thirty minutes, according to circumstances, using diffusive and diaphoretic teas meantime. A former Hydropathic practice, greatly lauded by that fraternity, was to use a cold sitz bath for lying-in women, an hour or so after delivery; but I must proclaim against this as a violent procedure, and one that perhaps never fails to leave chronic pelvic congestion and prolapsus for months or years.

How to Take a Sitz Bath in the Bathtub

If you’re taking a sitz bath in the bathtub, the first step is to clean the tub thoroughly.

Next, fill the tub with 3 to 4 inches of water. The water should be warm, but not hot enough to cause burns or discomfort. You can test the temperature of the water by placing a drop or two on your wrist. When you have found a comfortable temperature, add any substances your doctor recommended for the bath.

Now, step into the tub and soak your perineum for 15 to 20 minutes. Bend your knees or, if possible, dangle your legs over the sides of the tub to keep them out of the water altogether.

When you get out of the bathtub, gently pat yourself dry with a clean cotton towel. Don’t rub or scrub the perineum, as this may cause pain and irritation.

Finish by rinsing the bathtub thoroughly.

How to Take a Sitz Bath Using a Kit

A plastic sitz bath kit fits over the toilet. Rinse the bath with clean water before using it. Then, add very warm (but not hot) water along with any medications or solutions you wish to use.

Place the sitz bath into the open toilet. Test it by trying to move it side-to-side to ensure it will stay in place and won’t shift. You can pour warm water in before you sit down, or you can use the plastic bag and tubing to fill the tub with water after you’ve sat down. The water should be deep enough so that it covers your perineum. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

If you used the plastic bag, you can add warm water as the original water cools. Most sitz baths have a vent that prevents water from overflowing. The water conveniently overflows into the toilet and can be flushed.

When you’re finished, stand up and pat the area dry with a clean cotton towel. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the area when you do this.

Get the sitz bath ready for its next use by cleaning it thoroughly.