Long term effects of soap in enemas

Reading yet another account of how back in the ‘Golden Age’ or in the 50/60s it was a normal occurrence for many members to get very soapy enemas on a regular basis, often more than weekly, I couldn't help but wonder at the long term effects of using soap enemas on the colon.

Soap is an irritant, the whole idea of using a soap enema is based on the premise that it is irritating and will cause a bowel movement as a result.

But irritants often cause side effects, especially if used regularly over periods of time.

So, given how wary we are of colon cancer, intestinal polyps and other intestinal issues, I just can't help but wonder if there might not have been adverse effects of injecting soap into the bowels over the long term. Many members here gush and think back fondly on all their soapy enemas administered throughout their childhood and often continued later in life, but I can't help wondering about the long term effects of injecting irritants regularly.

Does anyone have any facts or knowledge about this?

An interesting question. You ask about ill effects from soapsuds, might there also be good ones? The soap might be irritating, not perhaps a good thing, but might its presence in an enema help cleaning out toxins dumped into the colon which might be greater cariogenic irritants than the soap.

Also, the down side of soap would be very much linked to the sort of soap, chemical composition. Lye soap being bad news. Ivory not so bad. Castile or special goat's milk enema soap even better.

The soapy enemas that I received were fairly uncommon, but quite memorable in many respects. They were certainly very intense and often seemed to be equated with a punitive aspect.

I don't believe I have suffered any physical complications, but there may be some psychological implications as a result.

I don't have any facts but I've always used soap in my enemas (even those given in my childhood) and continue to, today. So if there are any negative effects, I'm sure I will be at the front of the line. I can't get really good cramps, followed by a massive cleanout without good, strong soapsuds enemas.

I am very dependent on them now.

I don't have any facts but I've always used soap in my enemas (even those given in my childhood) and continue to, today. So if there are any negative effects, I'm sure I will be at the front of the line. I can't get really good cramps, followed by a massive cleanout without good, strong soapsuds enemas.

I am very dependent on them now.

Well, that's dependency which can be quite inconvenient, especially when travelling or away from home. But that probably is something that occurs with many over time.

As long as you stick to just soap, and avoid detergent, and anything with alcohol, I think the risk is pretty minimal.

Well, that's dependency which can be quite inconvenient, especially when travelling or away from home. But that probably is something that occurs with many over time.

I think it could be that or it might be you just never try just water with a little salt. I think you might be surprised. I think if you had someone give you a series of plain water it would work just as well but that's my opinion after usually giving just water with a pinch of salt.

I too have used a very gentle soap in my enema for many years. I sometimes follow up my “wash” with a herbal “soak” but sometimes just finish up and get on with my day. Plain water really does not work for me.

I have discussed this practice with both my fantastic ex RN neighbour and my twinkly granny colon hydrotherapist and neither have suggested that I desist. There is nothing so satisfying as a really good poo, so for the duration this 65 years young klysmo will keep right on!

Since a small part of my colon is prone to chronic inflammation (IBS was diagnosed years ago after a barium enema and colonoscopy), I've only used a soap solution such as Dr. Bronner's or Conti with olive oil if I'm feeling so bound up that I need to add irritants to the enema to produce a stronger release. Too much soap can make me very uncomfortable, and I can get a burning sensation -- definitely takes the fun out of an enema!

Adding a teaspoon of natural salt and a little baking soda to warm water are usually sufficient to produce a good lower cleanse if I'm a little backed up, and it's also a good stress reliever.

Using soap certainly intensifies the effects, but I have diminished the number of soapy enemas and occasionally use them now, just for fun (sse4fun)…shits and giggles!

Tap water, normal saline, and coffee have never caused me any grief. They have diminished any bouts of hemorrhoidal issues. One thing for sure is that my involuntary reactions are certainly enhanced and my demeanor levelled off.

I am mid 70's, having had countless enemas since something like age five. A great many of them containing soap(s).

Recent scoping shows two things. Small number of polyps (2-3), and some diverticulosis. Both of which are very common in our older population. I make no recommendations as to your recipes, but I do say firmly that enemas with soap have had no effect upon me except to promote cramps and urgent release. When desired I find those aspects very stimulating. After which I always take a rinse enema of equal or larger volume so as to eliminate residue as much as possible.

I have many years of SOAPY Adventures. No problems to complain about here

I can't speak from experience on either harmful or beneficial effects of soap. I've heard that it isn't absorbed despite some people saying they can taste soapsuds during an enema 😕 What possibly keeps the colon safe is rapid healing of any damage. Cell turnover is very quick, about 6 days if I remember right. On the upside soap changes the surface tension of water. Like Thomas893 said earlier, more undigested stuff including any carcinogens gets flushed out.

I'm immediately reminded of these lines from A Christmas Story:

Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap. My personal preference was for Lux, but I found Palmolive had a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor - heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness. Lifebuoy, on the other hand...

Ralphie: YECCHH!

And this:

[During Ralphie's daydream where he went blind]

Mr. Parker:

What happened son? Who did this to you?

Ralphie:

It,it was... soap poisoning!

[Mr. & Mrs. Parker begin wailing]

Ralphie:

Don't worry. We'll make it though... somehow.

Mr. Parker:

I told you not to use Lifebuoy!

Butt seriously!

The worst thing I've ever experienced is a “closed-down” rectum from an extremely strong soapy enema (grated Ivory dissolved in very warm water to the very edge of solubility). It was so strong that the cooling of the liquid in the tube caused the soapy mixture to congeal to a milky white viscous liquid that had difficulty flowing if the clamp was closed too much. It was what I called a self-sealing enema because it was very difficult to expel since my rectum was both very sensitized and it was closed down pretty tightly. I could barely get my smallest diameter nozzle in deep enough to start multiple rinses to dilute what I had taken in. Oh, and there was nausea since the reaction was so intense. Eventually, I was sitting on the toilet with an empty trash can in front of me, just in case.

I was shedding a stringy mess of my colon lining for the next two days. And a bit gassy as well.

The irritating effects of the alkaline and slightly basic (pH) nature of the liquid does intensify the eventual contractions that come with such enemas. I had found that liquid soaps produce a more intense effect than solid soaps until I got that dialed in.

I've never tasted the soap after an enema, though I have been able to smell the scent coming off my skin (most notably peppermint). But other than those specific aspects, I haven't noted any other effects.

Never mind the long-term effects, the short-term effects are bad enough. There always used to be a rule that only Castile soap should be used, but even this is very strong. The lining of the colon is quite sensitive, and does not take well to soap. However, plain water does not provide the required result. I find that the best compromise is to use as little soap as possible and then use plain water to wash it out.

While I cannot speak to my enema experiences prior to age 4+, I do know that Mom used mild solutions of Ivory on all three sisters and me. My late sister, Lisa and I became lifelong E-mates, and used many, many different additives to our enemas, but the old standbys were Ivory and Dr. Bronner's. Neither of us ever experienced any detrimental effects that we could notice, other than the intended cramps, when desired. We never used extremely strong solutions, except for one experiment where we created a strong gel by soaking a bath bar of Ivory in a qt of water for a month. That did cause horrible cramps, and about a week of diarrhea afterward. We both agreed that soap enhanced the enema experience, and improved the speed and thoroughness of our enemas. Considering that our enema relationship lasted nearly 75 years, we must've pumped tens of thousands of gallons of water through each other, with no perceptible ill effects. Based on that experience, I would say the long term effects were good colon health, and a lot of sexual satisfaction!

I put one packet of salt and some baby shampoo mix in one gal jug with warm water..been doing this for years never had any Polyps so far.. at 65 doing a enema about once a week..works for me….

My siblings an I were taught personal hygiene as preteens by our RN grandmother. She taught us too give ourselves one soapy and one rinse enema, two if needed. Each enema was to be a full two quarts. The first enema used Ivory bar soap with the water a very light see through shade of white. The second enema used one teaspoon of salt an one teaspoon of baking soda per quart of water. The third enema, if needed, was a repeat of the second enema. My siblings an I used this method through the end of High School. It wasn’t until after I got married at twenty seven, that I personally dropped the use of Ivory soap in my first enema and started using salt and baking soda for all enemas I took. My wife an I found salt and baking soda enemas worked as good as, if not better than, Ivory soap enemas bypassing the cramps of a soapy enema.

Our sister was also taught to douche by our RN grandmother using a cap of white vinegar per quart of warm water. Both my wife and sister saw the same OB/GYN for a number of years. He prescribed salt and baking soda enemas for constipation and cramps during their periods an a warm water douche with a cap of white vinegar per quart of water once their periods ended. He’s the reason my wife an I first dropped the use of Ivory soap enemas. He told us salt and baking soda worked as well as Ivory soap and that they were a lot easier on the colon than a soapy enema. We took his advice, tried it, and found salt and baking soda enemas worked as well as, if not better than, Ivory soap enemas, for us anyway.

To @thomas893, ALL soap is made with lye. It cannot be made without it. Do an internet search.

I was raised on (if you were sick and home from school) You were getting an enema, that was then in the sixties. Not much happened got married and divorced, and remarried. My new wife liked to play enema games most of the time I was on the receiving end, it brought back memories, both good and some exciting, you could say I am anally erotic. Before my wife became ill, 8 years ago I was given at least 2 to 3 per week and most of the times there 2 to 3 in one session, all were with baby shampoo. Since my wife became infirm, and the enemas have almost stopped, I have found that I get sick more often, I now have an enlarged prostate, I am diabetic, take medicine for my digestion, have had circulatory issues, (I could go on) ? Did the enemas help you can draw your own conclusion's I think they did, I also enjoyed the fine line between pain and pleasurer, dominance and submission. Just my opinion.

@agracier wrote:

So, given how wary we are of colon cancer, intestinal polyps and other intestinal issues, I just can't help but wonder if there might not have been adverse effects of injecting soap into the bowels over the long term. Many members here gush and think back fondly on all their soapy enemas administered throughout their childhood and often continued later in life, but I can't help wondering about the long term effects of injecting irritants regularly.

Does anyone have any facts or knowledge about this?

Seriously, it probably has much less to do with soap and much more to do with the proliferation of chemicals in the environment in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink and use in enemas. The number of new chemicals has exploded, as evidenced by the increased number of entries in the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) and their numbering system. Of course another aspect is the ability to detect and quantify chemicals at lower and lower concentrations. Chemicals that weren't “seen” in the the parts per million or part per billion range a decade ago are now measurable in the part per trillion or quadrillion range. It's not that they weren't there before. They weren't measurable at such low levels and low concentrations.

Of course, some of these chemicals don't exist naturally. The latest examples are PFAS (perfluoro- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or “forever chemicals." Some of these chemicals are found in virtually human on the planet and in virtually every place on the surface of planet Earth. A hundred years ago, they just didn't exist.

The only long term affect i have found from a life time if thousands and thousands of soap suds enemas , my farts smell like Ivory !!

ALL soap is made with lye. It cannot be made without it. Do an internet search.

I'm no chemist - but most articles I've read state that lye is used in making soap but it is eliminated during the saponification process (look it up)…….properly made soap does not contain any residual lye. At least that's what the articles state - consider that most are written by soap manufacturers!!

There are some “soap-like” products made without lye - but they are technically NOT soap.

The short answer from all I can find is “we don't know.” There have been studies on the effect of enema solutions on the colonic mucosa, and these show varying levels of inflammation following administration depending on the solution. Soapsuds, glycerin and phosphate enemas show the most, tap water is middle, and normal sodium chloride or PEG solutions show very little to none (however the less inflammatory solutions show lower efficacy in cleansing the bowel than soapsuds or glycerin).

This inflammation was noted as continuing for up to 3 days in the studies I have seen.

What is the long term effect? None of the study authors even hazard a guess. We know that ongoing inflammation is frequently linked with an increase in cancer risk, but we don't know if the enema inflammation is sufficient or of a type that would cause it. To put it in perspective there are also studies showing bile salts are carcinogenic and a couple hinting at a correlation between an increased risk of colon cancer and frequent constipation. A doctor would probably say that we know enemas lead to inflammation and inflammation can be an issue, so to be known safe their use should be minimized. A doctor might also say that many activities come with known or unknown risks, and enema use doesn't seem to be sufficiently hazardous to where we have noticed an obvious correlation. In other words “use at your own risk."

Also as has been noticed they have noted an increase in the rate of colon cancer, and it seems to be affecting younger people as well. Since there does not seem to be a commensurate increase in the rate of enema use this current increase doesn't seem to be related.

How's that for a long post that doesn't really give a solid answer?

Last night I tried something new,, I got a colon Tube for going deep for a good complete flush out.

So I injected 120mL of baby oil after that I was able to get the colon tube very deep and proceed to fill with some baby shampoo and one packet of salt in a gallon of warm tap water, was able to receive the complete Gallon..It was very nice felt great ..not sure it the baby oil is good or bad it sure did make it more comfortable going in and coming out…any thoughts on this…thanks

To Jim31756 I have a bottle of J&J baby oil and it says “ Warning for external use only” basically it’s mineral oil with fragrance added it also says don’t inhale,can cause serious injury! I would stay away from it! However I’ve used it just to lube the nozzle.

To Jim31756 I have a bottle of J&J baby oil and it says “ Warning for external use only” basically it’s mineral oil with fragrance added it also says don’t inhale,can cause serious injury! I would stay away from it! However I’ve used it just to lube the nozzle.

The real danger would be getting it in the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia.

It was stated in the first post: Soap is an irritant, the whole idea of using a soap enema is based on the premise that it is irritating and will cause a bowel movement as a result.

I agree. There is quite a range of irritants in the different soaps we use. Ivory was quite common and for some of you it is a favorite. It is effective. I personally find it a bit harsh to enjoy. When I was in my experimentation phase, I settled on castile soap. I figured since that is what they used in the hospital, and that is what was included in the little soap packet when you bought a disposable enema bag, that was the best combination of enough irritant to promote action without harming you. These days my favorite is J&J baby shampoo. Yes, the label reads like a chemistry exam, but I find it does the job without unnecessary irritation. I hope there is no long term effects from it.

These days my favorite is J&J baby shampoo. Yes, the label reads like a chemistry exam, but I find it does the job without unnecessary irritation. I hope there is no long term effects from it.

Maybe there is an “anti-aging” effect of using Baby Shampoo….

Given the alternatives I'll stick to Ivory Bar soap.

When I need a stronger purge I will add Epsom Salt.

Both have been around for more than a century and the risks should be well known.