We know, hemorrhoids are embarrassing. Nobody likes to talk about them. But luckily for you, it’s our job to talk about butts all day… so we’re pretty comfortable talking about uncomfortable things!
Hemorrhoids are certainly uncomfortable things. They’re essentially swollen veins that occur internally in your rectum or externally around your anus. You’ll experience symptoms like inflammation, itching, burning, and/or bleeding. Hemorrhoids happen when there’s increased pressure around your anus or rectum. Low-fiber diets, pregnancy, obesity, chronic constipation, and straining during bowel movements all increase that pressure.
Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
If you’re looking for relief from hemorrhoids, you’re not alone! In fact, almost 3 out of 4 people will experience hemorrhoids at some point. You can effectively treat hemorrhoids at home. Pharmacy shelves are full of over-the-counter ointments and creams like Preparation H® that provide temporary hemorrhoid symptom relief. These medications usually work by narrowing the inflamed blood vessels, relieving discomfort. Some also contain local anesthetic for hemorrhoid pain relief.
For those concerned about the ingredients in these ointments, there are alternative natural or herbal treatments for hemorrhoids like witch hazel, Epsom salts, and aloe vera. Many of these natural hemorrhoid treatments soothe inflammation. However, the efficacy and safety of herbal hemorrhoid treatments vary widely, so be sure to research the specific natural treatment.
Fortunately, the best natural hemorrhoid remedies are simple, easy, and well-researched (plus they don’t require messy, expensive ointments!). They include: eating more fiber, drinking more water, exercising, and changing your bathroom habits.
Wiping Hurts!
There’s an old joke that goes, Patient: “Doctor, it hurts when I do this!” Doctor: “Then don’t do that!”
Does it hurt when you wipe? Then don’t wipe!
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, you likely dread going to the bathroom. You might struggle with how to comfortably clean your hemorrhoids after a bowel movement. Wiping with scratchy, dry toilet paper is uncomfortable at the best of times, but it’s downright painful with hemorrhoids – particularly external hemorrhoids. This makes perfect sense: wiping irritates an already irritated area. Even using medicated wipes creates friction that aggravates sensitive hemorrhoids. By wiping, you don’t give the swollen blood vessels a chance to recover and heal. This only prolongs your pain and discomfort.
That’s why the #1 natural remedy for hemorrhoids is a bidet!
For Natural Hemorrhoid Relief, Wash Don’t Wipe
Switch to washing with clean water for safe, natural relief from hemorrhoids. Using a bidet for hemorrhoid relief works in multiple ways: not only are you avoiding irritation from wiping, you’re actively soothing the sore, injured area. You’ll feel an immediate difference when you use a bidet to help with your hemorrhoid symptoms!
Bidets help with hemorrhoids by keeping the anal area much cleaner than toilet paper ever could, and in a much gentler way. Many people already wipe too hard in an attempt to get clean. Unfortunately, this habit only increases itchiness and discomfort, especially if you have hemorrhoids. On the flip side, some hemorrhoid sufferers don’t wipe enough – which also results in itchiness! Keeping your hemorrhoids clean can be difficult. Washing with a bidet is the best solution if you have difficulty wiping your hemorrhoids after a bowel movement.
If your hemorrhoids are caused or aggravated by constipation, using a bidet before a bowel movement makes passing hard stool easier. The bidet spray relaxes and stimulates your sphincter muscles so you don’t need to strain and push as much. People often prefer non-electric bidets for constipation – the SimpleSpa Thinline is a particular favorite. Non-electric bidets have very strong sprays at their highest settings because they work using water pressure alone.
Bidet technology has come a long way from the first bidets used by French royalty. With options like bidet attachments, bidet sprayers, and bidet toilet seats, there’s a bidet for every bathroom and budget. It’s easy to add any of these bidets to your existing toilet with a simple DIY installation. If you travel frequently, a travel bidet helps with hemorrhoid relief on-the-go.
An Alternative to Sitz Baths
A popular, effective home remedy for hemorrhoids is the sitz bath. This is a small bowl that fits over your toilet seat. To use, fill the basin with warm water and sit in it. The warm water helps sooth painful hemorrhoids, decreases anal pressure, and promotes healing.
Did you know that bidets can be used for sitz baths? In fact, the first bidet toilet seat was created as a medical device called the “American Sitz Bath”. Research has shown that bidets “could be used to reduce anal resting pressure in the same manner as the traditional warm sitz bath under the conditions of low or medium water jet pressure, a warm water temperature, and a wide type water jet.”
The Swash 1400 bidet toilet seat has all those features – wide spray width adjustment, adjustable pressure settings, and adjustable temperature settings. Bidet toilet seats are a convenient alternative to sitz baths. Once installed, they’re always on your toilet and ready to provide relief at the push of a button!
To dry off after a sitz bath, doctors recommend gently patting the area dry or using a hair dryer. A bidet toilet seat like the Swash 1400 offers a better alternative: a built-in warm air dryer. The Swash 1400 is the perfect bidet for hemorrhoids because there’s never any need to irritate your hemorrhoids with wiping.
Even if your hemorrhoids are serious enough to need surgery, a bidet is invaluable. This study looked at the difference between using sitz baths and warm water sprays after hemorrhoidectomy procedures. Participants found that using a warm water spray was both more convenient and more satisfactory following their hemorrhoid surgery. Researchers and hemorrhoid sufferers agree: bidets are good for hemorrhoids!
Preventing Hemorrhoids
While all these at-home hemorrhoid treatments will provide you with short-term hemorrhoid relief, they don’t address the underlying causes of hemorrhoids. Whether you’ve suffered from recurring hemorrhoids over the years or you’re experiencing your first hemorrhoid and don’t want another, there are also long-term holistic strategies.
Making preventative lifestyle changes is the simplest (and most natural) way to help treat existing hemorrhoids and, more importantly, ensure that they don’t return. Increasing your fiber intake and drinking more water will soften stool so it’s easier to pass. This not only relieves hemorrhoid pain, it also helps prevent straining – one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids. Because prolonged sitting increases the pressure on your rectum, staying active with regular exercise is another great way to prevent hemorrhoids. Exercise has the added benefit of helping with weight loss.
Bidets are the perfect solution for anyone looking for gentle, natural hemorrhoid relief. But once you’ve successfully treated your hemorrhoids, you’ll never want to go back to wiping. From preventing UTIs to helping the environment, the benefits of using a bidet are endless. You’ll enjoy being cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable long after your hemorrhoids have healed!