Enema Dependency - Fact or Urban Myth?

Are there any scientific, peer reviewed studies, not based on anecdotal evidence, that indicate excessive use of enemas make one dependent upon them for bowel movements? If so, how many/much is excessive?

I ask because so many web pages that discuss, or provide information on, the issue seem to make the claim based on what some other web page says. Could this be an urban myth repeated so often some people believe it?

I’m a daily if not every other day user 4qts is always my goal but 3qts is normally my minimum amount. I did a daily enema for 6 months straight after 5 days when I stopped I went on my own. I’ve tried really tried to make my self dependent on them. I don’t like pooping on my own. I have yet to become dependent and I’ve been a user now for 24 years roughly.

What matters is making sure you have at least some days if not longer of normal bowel movements with no enemas laxatives or suppositories.

If you can't do that, and then do it again after your enema session is over, then you are physically dependent.

Make sure you understand the difference between physical dependency and real psychological addiction, and addictive behavior

I doubt there are any studies that specifically tested the effects of daily use of enemas correlated to the ability to have regular bowel movements after stopping the daily use. Others have posted here on zity asking the same general question- are there any clinical studies done on enema use. And the reason there is very little in the way of clinical studies on enemas is that these studies are expensive to do and the sponsors of the research are ultimately interested in selling a product and want to use the results of the study as support for their product's usage. A study that is done for the sake of insights and knowledge just don't happen. I found two studies conducted by Fleet testing the efficacy of their enemas vs another type of enema which did not specifically say what was in that enema. So again a study was done to help sell a product.

At the end of the day, if you are concerned about becoming dependent on enemas to have a BM, then you should watch how your body reacts to daily usage and how long it takes to rebound and start having BMs on its own. You can run your own study on yourself and see what the results are for you.

ProV1

I agree completely for in realizing a study upon this subject no person will be able to make a lot of money.

I have looked for such a study and have not found one. I do know that enema and laxative dependency is a fact of life for me. I have chronic slow transit constipation and am not able to have a bowel movement without taking something to induce it. However, I don't think using laxatives and enemas has caused the dependency. I was diagnosed with colonic inertia/slow transit constipation in my 20s. I use an enema or laxative every 4 to 7 days to relieve it. I have tried on numerous occasions to go without taking something but I just end up being backed up for days. I hoped that eventually I might “go” and reestablish normal bowel function. Alas, that was not to be. When “dependency" is discussed among physicians, I suspect that many of the cases are like mine. The person's colon no longer functions and they have to take medication or an enema to make it work. The things they use to “go” didn't cause the condition, however.

Coloclean / Peristeen if I recall correctly have completed a detailed study resulting in the development of the Peristeen products. They have invested heavily based on their research study papers. . .Dependency from a medical standpoint is a FACT for a sector of many communities in the areas of the aged/ infirmed as well as those with disabilities.

Id suggest contacting them directly via e-mail following a Google search to locate their various locales . . For the US their main branch Is located in Canada

See also zitys Topic discussion thread :

1.) Peristeenn Anal Irrigation System

2) Quofora Irrigation

A key factor is the reason you are doing enemas. If you do have a chronic constipation problem, then regular use or daily use of enemas is a necessary treatment strategy. But if you are doing daily enemas for any reason other than to address a medical issue and have a completely normal functioning digestive system you could become dependent on enemas to have a BM.

I think all of us who are regular users of enemas have noticed that there is a recovery period in which our digestive system reboots and returns to normal function. If you never let your system recover, then you will likely become dependent on them to eliminate waste. I always let my system recover and return to normal function for several days before giving myself more enemas. My reason for doing enemas is for sexual pleasure; I have healthy normal functioning digestive system. For me, I usually give myself enemas about once a week. My recovery period is usually 1 day then I am back to normal on the second day, but I still want my system to have several days of normal running time before my next round.

After considerable internet research before and after posing my query, the only possible conclusion is that use of enemas, excessive or other amounts, does not cause one to become dependent upon them for bowel movements or any other natural function.

I found no scientific/medical evidence to support the claim, no studies - peer reviewed or not - or verifiable statements by any medical/scientific organization.

Conclusion: it is an urban myth repeated so often, some people actually believe it.

However, if anyone can provide a link to such evidence or studies, I'd be glad to view them.

What ever you need to tell yourself for an enema personality I like them and enjoys them you know mom grandmother and your Aunts did it’s why they gave them to you . Think about it do you enjoy giving enemas I do they make me hard giving or receiving. My wife got wet giving or receiving as well she got lots of enemas as well. Don’t you think they where a great warm up for when dad got home mom was wet and ready ? Dad was not around when I got enemas………

I have never seen any studies on this, but, as you indicated, there is a lot of speculation. I could venture, and my former colon therapist stated, that if you use those saline store bought enemas or you only take a small amount of water in an enema, and do it too often, you stand a chance of dependency. When you take larger volumes and clean out your colon, and give your body a few days to rest, there is little chance of dependency. I was taking 2 salt and soda enemas in a session every 7 days and did so for years. When I stopped within a day or so I was back to normal. Every good think in moderation as my family used to say.

From my point of view, along with my siblings and those of a few friends, I would classify “Enema Dependency” as Urban Myth for the following reasons.

When any of us got sick growing up, we all received daily enemas as long as one of us was still ill. So, there were times growing up, we got daily enemas for four to six straight weeks, returning to normal within a day or two of the enemas stopping. This wasn’t a one time thing, it happened multiple times growing up.

After our RN grandmother taught us personal hygiene as preteens and we were responsibility for ourselves in the enema department. Within a couple of months of school starting that fall, by pure happenstance, my sister an I both needed the bathroom when we got home from school one afternoon. Unbeknownst to each other, we were both constipated and needed a couple of enemas. I was first to say something about needing the bathroom and when I explained the reason, she told me, “I’ve got the same problem. Tell you what, I’ll give you a couple of enemas, then you can give me a couple of enemas.” I agreed, then we both got total undressed, went to the bathroom and took care of ourselves. Our normal routine was a couple of times a week, however, it was daily whenever one of us was ill. And quite frankly, we used illness as an excuse too do more enemas. Because by this time, enemas had become quite pleasurable and we were using them for that purpose over the constipation issues that started my siblings an I doing them together in the first place. And we never had any issues being “Enema Dependent” physically that is.

Once I was married, my wife an I used enemas during sexual foreplay multiple times a week for the first five years of our marriage, and never became enema dependent. On weekends, we were involved with three other couples during those same five years, doing enemas together frequently enough to know, no ever became enema dependent. Always returning to normal within a day or two.

However, that’s not to say enema dependency can’t happen to someone. All I’m saying is, it hasn’t happened to anyone I’ve ever known, who does enemas on a regular basis, be it daily, weekly, or monthly in over sixty plus years.

Isn't it interesting (discounting, for a moment, Peristeen & Qufora, which have a specialized purpose in their research), that often, when a doc wants to depend on anecdotal evidence, it's acceptable, and when they do not, it' taboo? I'm not suggesting that all do this. I've known those that don't, but DANG! it can be annoying!

I don't think that there is or even could be a ‘one size fits all’ answer to the question of enema dependency. Other factors such as ages, diets, genetics maybe, might possibly apply toward someone's predisposition to becoming “enema dependant” or not, combined with individuals' frequency of enema use.

Just my nonprofessional thought.

Isn't it interesting (discounting, for a moment, Peristeen & Qufora, which have a specialized purpose in their research), that often, when a doc wants to depend on anecdotal evidence, it's acceptable, and when they do not, it' taboo? I'm not suggesting that all do this. I've known those that don't, but DANG! it can be annoying!

They will generally depend on anecdotal evidence or case studies when there is not a good study, when the case studies are alarming, and when there are alternatives. Doctors don't generally like to recommend things that might cause harm if there is an option.

That said most of the case studies on enema danger that I have seen involve perforation of the rectum by a nozzle, existing medical issues, or “stupid enemas” with things such as too hot solution or toxic chemicals.

I have heard that “laxative dependence” started back in the first half of the 20th century and may have been tied to certain drugs that maybe shouldn't have been used. From there it was expanded. I don't have published information to back this up though.

What do we actually know: there is a rebound period after use of enemas or laxatives of varying amounts. Some people have slow colons and they will generally have issues no matter what, and at the same time be more likely to use laxatives or enemas. We also do know that there is some inflammation of the mucosa connected with the use of most enema solutions (exceptions being isotonic saline or PEG solutions), but don't know what the effects of that are.

We don't know yet about physical dependence from enemas, so it is mixed anecdotes and a crap shoot. Like I say, few medical journals will publish a case study along the lines of “I recommended an enema and it worked,” though there are some halfway decent studies supporting the enema as an effective intervention for constipation, butno discussion of long term use.

The opposite is very true the more you fill and clean the colon the stronger it gets it seem to improve segment timing also as its much quicker to empty out. i have been daily for many years and have a great and very enhanced gutbrain connection its fun and powerful seems like i do not get sick as crap goes around so it does help the imune system maybe it gives it a boost!

Could becoming addicted to enemas - either for health reasons or pleasure - be considered a dependency on them?

My colon therapist says she has clients who can't poop and are dependent on a weekly colonic to empty their bowels. Possibly an urban legend, but there are people who have serious bowel issues.

@Rigel said,

Could becoming addicted to enemas - either for health reasons or pleasure - be considered a dependency on them?

No, Because my siblings, my girlfriends, an once married, my wife an I. Having used enemas for both health and pleasure over many years. We’ve been able to stop, returning to normal within 24 to 48 hours multiple times. No one that I’ve ever known, has ever had that kind of a problem. I’m speaking only for us, and no one else.

@Rick6981 Understand most people can stop enemas and return to normal BMs. I meant some people form a mental dependency on them and can’t or won’t stop. Like smokers or alcoholics. Even if they know they could return to normal, they don’t want to. Psychologically dependent.

When able and by myself and I do a 4 day daily it takes two days to have a movement and it is a Lincoln log ( got to be old to know that ) it will be 8 -10" and rreturn to my normal about two days between movements.

I usually try to have a movement in the shower in the morning while wife is still asleep then off to work. I am 77 and love the finger in a the anus with astro to lube, then a little shower shot with a soap bar in for about 5 min to give me the ssensation to go - just love the feeling. Yea I am a freak - but love it!!

Are there any scientific, peer reviewed studies, not based on anecdotal evidence, that indicate excessive use of enemas make one dependent upon them for bowel movements? If so, how many/much is excessive?

So far only @ProV1 answered without “anecdotal evidence” of personal opinion.

I doubt there are any studies that specifically tested the effects of daily use of enemas correlated to the ability to have regular bowel movements after stopping the daily use.

For someone to actually want to study enema dependency there would have to be money to be made somewhere after the findings. There is not a lot of profit to be made in selling water, soap, and other additives that can be purchased in the store or online already.

I would think that one should be able to find some studies regarding laxatives. If there laxative dependency, it would stand to reason that there is also enema dependency.

@ddell2 I would think that one should be able to find some studies regarding laxatives. If there laxative dependency, it would stand to reason that there is also enema dependency.

Me, too. There must be some studies relating to laxatives and enema dependency. The reason I say this is because of the widespread use of opiates for pain relief and antiemetics such as Phenergan and Zofran. I had a few experiences with Phenergan through the years for nausea. Loved those suppositories, they really worked, but not the constipation and the fatigue.

I learned the hard way in my 20s when I was taking meds with codeine. I was in constant pain after an accident that required multiple surgeries. At the time, I didn’t take the warnings seriously that I would become constipated, but that’s what happened. A home health nurse who helped my post-op recovery gave me an enema that had a profound enjoyable effect on my senses, but that’s altogether another subject.

The point is, from my own experience with pain that still bothers me on occasion after so many years, it is possible for me to become dependent on cathartics unless I take sensible steps as preventatives.

While I have no facts to back this up, I am certain that a percentage of the Fleet enemas taken by people on pain medication and are constipated.

I would think that one should be able to find some studies regarding laxatives. If there laxative dependency, it would stand to reason that there is also enema dependency.

Why would it “stand to reason”. Just because both methods target the digestive tract does not mean the effects are produced in the same manner.

And if you found links to such studies, please, share them with us.

If I'm an example, I would say myth. Im a fairly healthy man in my early 50s. I can take a couple of 2 qt bags in the afternoon and I'm passing solids again before bedtime the next day.

Yes. It is true FOR ME. Both laxative dependent and enema dependent. I can not have a bowel movement without help.

Maybe I'm unique. It's not something I'm proud of.

I have heard of laxative dependency. In fact, some laxatives cautions against long term use. As for enema dependency, I doubt that it exists, although I could hypothesize that continued use of very high volume enemas might damage the colon muscles, thus causing dependency. I have used enemas for all of my 70+ years, and still have normal bowel movements if I refrain for 3 day or more.

With me, I have no doubt that I am hooked on enemas and am enema dependent. Once in a while I will have to go somewhere and will be unable to take and use my enema equipment. I've found it takes almost a week to return to normal without an enema. I will try to eat as much fruit as I can get my hands on, even tried some mild laxatives. The last time out a few weeks ago, after six days I had to do something, fortunately I had a fleet stuffed in my bag, gave me instant relief. Once I got home, got back on schedule, I do at least two a week.

For me, enema dependency is more mental than physical. I have no problem with having a natural bowel movement if I don't have an enema for a few days. But, after a couple of days without an enema I start looking forward to a time when I will have the time and privacy to enjoy a good one. For example - I had a good natural bowel movement this morning but here I sit checking this place for new things while I am between bags, just because I have the house to myself this afternoon, and I “need” an enema. OK, I need two today. There have been days when I have an enema in the morning and then in the afternoon, I just feel like I want another one. Because I can.

My view is that many of the children given enemas in youth later began to enjoy the new erotic aspect and tried to get more of them from mom or were found to be sneaking them. I suspect that was mistaken for ‘dependency’ in most cases.