Why back in the day enemas were a ladies thing
Many years ago, at the dawn of internet, I ran an enema group for ladies which put me in contact with many women I emailed with outside of the group, and I still am in touch with several. From that, and speaking as a lady of a certain age I'll share with you my perspective on ladies and gentlemen regarding enemas in times past.
If we take 1930 to 1950 as times past women would have taken themselves, had from other women, given to friends, 100 times more enemas than men took themselves, and 10,000 times more enemas than a man would have given to a man — hospitals excepted. With hospitals excepted any enema a male got not self administered would have been from mother or wife.
Sticking with men there are several reasons for so much lower self enema use. Top of list is when men were looking for an orgasm a hand job in the shower, bathtub, with a locked door and a bar of soap to make hand and shaft slide easily was fast, efficient, worked wonderfully and didn't waste time that might then be spent golfing or working in the garage.
Right next to that was a phobia about homosexuality. I'm not saying anti-gay, although there was lots of that, more a belief that anything anal was a gay thing and not to be encouraged for fear one ‘caught’ it. Sticking a hose up your butt to stimulating your anus and then squirting warm water at your prostate was not something real men did. (Thankfully in our enlightenment men have come a long way.)
Also, high on the list was the syringe bag was definitely an intimate item belonging to the wife and about as natural for a husband to use as wearing his wife's delicates (as panties and such were called) would be. Having their own bag would be about as strange. What self respecting man would buy a bag at the corner drug store? If he did for sure he'd have had a little laugh with the pharmacist as he said it was for his wife.
Turning to women. As wife and mother it would be expected by the pharmacist she'd buy a syringe, for douching and to fulfill her role as enema giver to the family. Teenage daughter has period cramps? Mom and her trusty bag to the rescue.
The three top of list things for women were:
First, when they were looking for a sexual self experience, (unlike men, not necessarily measured by having an orgasm) a long enema building and building inside them filling them to the point of panting and a little agony was the perfect slow sensuous experience they needed. A source of great joy and satisfaction even if not taken all the way to orgasm and if not taken all the way pleasurable sensations could be enjoyed and dismissed as just nice, not sexual. The metaphor of a black enema nozzle ‘ejaculating’ white bubble soapy enema into a bottom and a penis ejaculating white cum wasn't lost on either men, or women. Women delighted in the unspoken wickedness of it all. Not men.
Second, America was filled with stay at home moms. Laundry finished and hung on the line, preserves bubbling on the stove for another hour, kids back at school after lunch, kitchen cleaned up; what to do? Been feeling a little off? You did say to yourself this morning you should probably take an enema. Oh dear. Stiff upper lip Maggie. You know you need it, so go do it. Get it done. You'll feel better and then you can relax. And so mom takes off her apron, the phone off the hook, and heads upstairs to fix the enema. As she climbs the stairs she feels the familiar excitement of dread and anticipation.
In contrast, the only time dad might be at home alone is Saturday and Sunday and then it's golf, church, etc.
Third, a female health thing. We ladies were far more concerned about our complexion, then once a month dealing with that bloated feeling, douching to be the sweet smelling wife that douche prep ads told us we needed to be with the logical companion of washing out the other orifice while we were at it.
To top it off, in a way it was exciting, not unpleasant, at least the first quart, and led to all sorts of tingly sensations.
Another men/women, difference in enema taking habits was women were able, often keen, to let another woman administer the enema to them and, if requested give one back in return. A good girl friend, neighbor, might even supply a back and buttocks rub to take your mind off the stress of taking the second quart. Sooooo nice to just lie back and be looked after! Men lighting a scented candle and giving their best friend and former football team mate an enema with encouraging words and a back rub? You can see where my 10,000 times more likely for women than men, above, comes from.
I hope others might comment on the difference in women/men and enemas back pre-1950 or so and what might have been the situation in their home.
When Christmas is past I plan to post something on the welcome revolution, as I see it, of men becoming far more into enemas than was the case in the past.