With over 11 million people within the United States with hemorrhoids, most people are seeking easy hemorrhoid treatments. One method of treatment that minimizes the embarrassment some feel can be accomplished with a sitz bath, the most popular hemorrhoid treatment today.

Many different medical issues are treated with a sitz bath. For example, prostate infections, vaginal fissures, anal fissures, as well as hemorrhoids are often treated with a sitz bath. Furthermore, the sitz bath appears to reduce pain and discomfort typically associated with herpes, hemorrhoids, and vaginal infections.

What is a Sitz Bath?

A sitz bath consists of a plastic bowl that is fitted to go on top of the toilet. This bowl holds enough warm water to cover your butt cheeks as well as your hips. A person sits on the bowl of warm water, which in turn enables blood to reach the infected area. As the blood flows closer to the hemorrhoid, pressure is typically relieved easing the pain and discomfort.

Using Hydrotherapy for Hemorrhoids

Sitz bath is a form of hydrotherapy, also known as water therapy. Hydrotherapy has been used since as far back as the 18th century. The first to use treatments similar to sitz baths were the Greeks. Obviously this treatment proves to be successful if it is still used today. When using a sitz bath in order to treat hemorrhoids, one should use water at the hottest temperature they can handle. Sitz bath should be performed 2-3 times a day for approximately 15 minutes to relieve the max amount of pain and pressure from the hemorrhoids.

How to use a Sitz Bath

There are many ways of using a sitz bath for hemorrhoid treatment without sitting on bowl on your toilet. For example, you can use a bathtub filled with really warm water as a stiz bath. However, the most recommended method involves the plastic bowl that fits over our toilet. With either sitz bath method, it is easy to refill the container or tub with warm water for repeated use. Most plastic sitz bath containers can be found at a drugstore for less than fifteen dollars and contain slots toward the top of the container in order to allow overflow to fall into your toilet, preventing water spills.

After filling the sitz bath you will want to sit on it for at least 15 minutes. Some doctors recommend using two sitz baths, one with hot water and one with cold water. If you use two of them you will want to switch back and forth every 3-4 minutes. By switching from hot to cold water you will get the blood in the area moving again. When you are done you need to dry off. You should use a clean cotton towel. Make sure you pat your area dry and don’t rub it. Rubbing the area can irritate it more and make the swelling and discomfort worse. Some even prefer to let the area air dry than to put anything on it.

When you use a sitz bath with over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams itching, swelling, pain, and inflammation can all be reduced. Epson salt and oatmeal powders are sometimes used in a sitz bath to add more relief. However, consult a doctor before adding anything to your sitz bath. If used correctly, a sitz bath should make you feel better soon!