Are enemas really healthy for you?

I have been giving myself enemas my whole life. It all started with my mother giving them for health reasons so she said.

I really enjoyed them and started flushing out myself whenever possible. I really love the feeling of being cleaned out fully. I have gone to a colonic hydrotherapist in my area many times and she tells me it is safe to irrigate your colon often to get rid of all the toxins your colon can accumulate.

It may be good or bad. It is difficult to judge whether enema has a positive or negative effect on my health. As a matter of self-satisfaction, I would say that this is good for my health, because I do not feel any side effects from my daily large volume enema.

I have been taking almost daily enemas for many years, ever since I was a teen, and have never had any health problems. Personally I think they make me feel better. But I only do plain water enemas of about one quart or so. Nothing exotic. The only negative is that of becoming enema dependent - difficulty going without one.

Enemas should not me that frequent because it disrupts the natural flora of the colon.

I haven't seen any reports from medical studies about the benefits or dangers of taking enemas. Everything I hear sounds like opinion, even if it's from a doctor. What most of us seem to do is rely on personal experience to tell us whether we're doing the right thing by taking enemas on a regular basis. Everyone is different, so I don't think there's one answer.

In my case, I have suffered from IBS-A since my colon resection surgery, and enemas are a godsend for me health-wise. When the question is raised whether an enema every other day or two is healthy or unhealthy, I think about the alternative. If I go without them, I suffer a lot. Severe abdominal cramps, painful movements, prolonged constipation often ending with uncontrollable diarrhea (sometimes in public places). Before I adopted the practice of taking regular enemas, life was a nightmare!

I eat lots of yogurt and probiotics in case my intestinal flora is at risk.

I never get sick. I feel very healthy from my regimen. When I go off it (while traveling, for example), I suffer the consequences. From my personal standpoint, l vote that enemas are healthy.

For me, daily enemas are a way of life. Very enjoyable and leaves me very relaxed. As for my health.... I do not get colds or intestinal flu or any kind of flu for that matter even though I am around kids at schools daily. What works for me, may not work for you, but I will continue my daily use of enemas.....

Please note- my response is not based on any medical research or knowledge.

I can't see how bi monthly, or even weekly enemas can do any lasting harm . I've read that using enems more often will lead to difficulties having regular bowel movements ie- your bowels become dependant. I think that arguement would hold some water- use it, or lose it.

Personally, I've been constipated once in my life- after my boob job I took codiene.

After reading these pages for a couple of months, I would have to think the number of people here that are constipated is WAY out of whack with the general public. Perhaps they have created a perfect catch-22, they get constipated because of their enemas, and take enems to cure said constipation.

I enjoy one. I also take them as needed for cleanliness. I try to keep a deep cleanse down to one a week or two. If I'm playing with plugs, I'll clean just the rectum, if I'll be having lots of anal sex, fisting, or going deep with toys, I'll do a deep clean.

Anything in moderation.

I suppose that enemas will be healthy for every person: So, since long years I need no doctor.

"Please note- my response is not based on any medical research or knowledge.

I can't see how bi monthly, or even weekly enemas can do any lasting harm . I've read that using enems more often will lead to difficulties having regular bowel movements ie- your bowels become dependant. I think that arguement would hold some water- use it, or lose it.

Personally, I've been constipated once in my life- after my boob job I took codiene.

After reading these pages for a couple of months, I would have to think the number of people here that are constipated is WAY out of whack with the general public. Perhaps they have created a perfect catch-22, they get constipated because of their enemas, and take enemas to cure said constipation." (from Buttwoman - edited because the quoting was lost somehow.

I've been looking at a number of things related to IBS, as I fight with that. The most recent book I read noted that the author found most studies were correlative and/or had people who took significantly more than the recommended dose of laxatives over long periods of time (around 18 times the normal dose, daily, for 10+ years. FWIW this would be 180mg bisacodyl (36 pills or 18 suppositories) daily for 10 years, but the laxatives in question were probably not as safe as bisacodyl). His take was that it was a similarly valid conclusion that people who had bowel issues already or developing tended to use more laxatives. From what I've heard here, "enema dependence" does develop in some people but is characterized more as a "rebound effect" that resolves after a few days to a week. Similar to yours this is not based on medical training.

Not sure about the effects of colon flora imbalance (which would also be found with antibiotic use) or the finding that non-isotonic enemas tend to cause some damage of the surface epithelium of the colon have over the long term.

The same potential of alternative explanations for a correlative effect can be applied to your second statement: perhaps people who have bowel issues anyway tend to pay more attention to them and treating them and are thus more likely to sexualize them?

I agree that your comment about moderation. Overdoing anything isn't a good idea.

Enemas disrupt the natural flora of the colon, and therefore should be used sparingly and in moderation.

When discussing putting anything into our bodies, no matter what it is or which orifice it goes into, one should be be careful. After reading many of the postings on this topic, it is evident that there is no clear answer. So many different opinions. And since everyone seems to have different reactions as to how enemas effect them, the old term "different strokes for different folks" comes to mind. Obviously for some of us enemas cause no problems and for others just the opposite. Taking into account frequency, quantity, type of solution, etc. etc., it's no wonder we have had such divergent opinions on this topic.

So many things factor into coming up with an answer to this question and really, none of them are wrong.

It's really an individual thing, geared to the persons own body.

But just to add my two cents worth, EVERYTHING IN MODERATION is some good advice I got from a wise old friend many years ago, and it has held me in good stead all these years.

For me, yes, in two ways. First, they are a great way to relieve stress. Then there's the Crohn's disease. Under control for many years, but I do tend to go through times when I'm having way too many BM's every day. After my diagnosis in the early 70's, I was having a rough time with the disease. A family member whose GP had Crohn's disease, suggested that I see him, when she told him of my situation. I gathered up all my medical records, X-Rays, etc from my hospital stay, delivered them to his office & saw him about a week later.

Had a very thorough physical, bloods drawn, & had a long talk with him. When the blood test results were in, I was given a prescription for a 5-ASA drug, Sulfasalazine. I was told to see him in about 3 weeks. The 5-ASA helped, but I had a long way to go. At the next appointment, I found out my Albumin was way low, most probably from the inflammation in the colon. That also explained why I was tired ALL the time.

As the conversation progressed, he asked if I ever had an enema before the prep & BE at the hospital. I swallowed hard (NOBODY knew that I had been self administering since I was 😎 and answered that I had them when I was younger. He then asked how I did with the barium enema. At this point, my face must have been 37 shades of red. I told him I was very uncomfortable & bloated, but the bag was a few ounces shy of empty when the nurse administering the enema closed the clamp. He said he wanted me to try something that just might help me.........high PH enemas. He wrote out a lengthy list of instructions & gave me sheets with drawings of figures in the knee chest position & the sims position.

Once a week, in the mid afternoon, he wanted me to do 3 enemas. Each was to have 2 & 1/3 measured teaspoons of baking soda per quart. 1st enema, 2 quarts in knee chest position, then go to RIGHT side sims position so it would flow into the ascending colon where the problem was. Hold for 10 minutes, if possible. Second & third enemas, same as first, but 3 quarts each. Included was a detailed list of what I would need to accomplish this, plus the address of a local medical supply house where I could get what I needed to do this. Little did he know that I already had almost everything on his list, except one little item.........a B@?% X double balloon retention nozzle and 2 inflators. He said that the retention nozzle would make it easy to hold a large enema. I was to see his nurse on the way out & make an appointment in one month.

The appointment was made & his RN told me if I had any questions or problems, just give her a call. OMG.......now 2 people know I will be taking 3 large volume enemas every week for a month. This was before I read Penthouse Letters & thought I was the ONLY person alive who loved a good enema! I wanted to call her & say I was having a problem taking the enemas and could she help, but I chickened out.

So, I'm 20 something, working, dating, partying, and have to do enemas every week. That balloon nozzle was not easy to insert myself, so (dialing phone)....ring.....ring.....Hi Rebecca.....say....would you mind coming over right after class & help me get this double balloon nozzle inserted in my butt & give me 3 large volume enemas?? Yeah, right.

The enemas did actually help, but after a while, I slacked off. I was living with 2 friends in a rented house and enema opportunities were few & far between. I was now dating Pam, a real sweetheart. Things I told her in confidence, never cam back to me from anyone in our group & I felt like I could trust her. She said she wanted to help me get better.........and I told her what I needed to do. I expected her leave & never be seen again.............but she just looked at me with those doe eyes and said.........ok! Over our 3 year relationship, I got so many enemas from her I lost count.

Early on, I told her I was having difficulty taking the 3 qt enemas (I really wasn't) & would have her closing / opening the clamp several times. Once, I had taken less than 1/2 the bag & asked her to close the clamp. She did, got up & said she would be right back. So there I am, ass up, face buried in a pillow & I hear her come back into the room & she says she has just the thing to help me take the large volume enemas. I turn my head towards her & she's standing there wearing nothing but a smile!! On the bed, she scoots up between my knees, has the hose & clamp in her hand, looks at me with a big smile and says READY?? I feel the warmth & wetness of her mouth on my now rock hard penis, then click of the clamp. I feel her hand on the outer bulb of the nozzle & she starts turning it left, then right. I WAS IN HEAVEN. Sometimes we would 69 & I buried my face in her pussy while she pleasured me with her hand & played with the balloons. Over time, she learned how to bring me to the edge, then back off. I asked her to wait till I was done with the last enema before she brought me to orgasm. Should have married that girl!

As things turned out, Dr. T was a really smart guy! Recent research has determined that intestinal PH plays a HUGE role in intestinal inflammation in Crohn's, UC & IBD. He was WAY ahead of his time!

So, the original question of whether enemas are healthy for you, in my case, 😁 😁 😁 , YMMV

Best,

vapor

Basically a true story, but the names have been changed!

I suppose that the complete refusal in taking enemas will lead to serious health problems.

I suppose that the complete refusal in taking enemas will lead to serious health problems.

Enemas are DEFINITELY NOT required for good health.

Enemas are DEFINITELY NOT required for good health.

Susie, but then why did the colon hydrotherapy is become so popular?

Susie, but then why did the colon hydrotherapy is become so popular?

It's trendy, gives people an opportunity to legitimately play with their anus, cleans out the rectum and above for extended play, it feels good, albeit an acquired taste, and more. . . .

It is under the guise of health which makes the people engaging in the activity NOT perverts.

Colon "therapists" and I use the term loosely, tell a good lie that many people fall for.

Look, I love my enemas for relaxation, masturbation and cleaning out the playground, but I am not going to say it has any health benefits other than helping people who are constipated have a bowel movement, or people with bowel abnormalities or diseases maintain relatively normal bowel function. Normal, healthy people derive no benefit from enemas or "colon cleansing".

Enemas are DEFINITELY NOT required for good health.

Neither are the fetishes/kinks we all love and enjoy. But sometimes being emotionally satisfied or not can affect ones health. If an enema helps, in some unexplainable way, to make a person feel good/better than enjoy.

*I am not a medical person and have no medical background to support what I claim. I only have personal experience to go from and find support for the above.

I hate to say this but anecdotal evidence is not evidence.

I hate to say this but anecdotal evidence is not evidence.

Agreed, which is why I was interested in this 2016 study which investigated a form of daily home colonic (effectively an open-system colonic on the toilet) in the treatment of IBS. It's only a tiny pilot study (18 patients), but it did produce promising results and deserves to be investigated further (and the authors didn't have a financial conflict of interest, which is always a worry in studies of very specific treatments like this). It wasn't placebo controlled (not sure how you would do that for colonics/enemad, but there might be some clever way with flow rates), which is a shame, but like i say, it at least points the way for further studies.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960275/

I'm with Susie here. There may be some psychological and mood changes, but for the most part they are likely just that (psychological) rather than physiological, though it can likely be argued that there is some benefit in feeling better - I know that I function better and am much more pleasant to be around when I keep my bowels operating in a close to normal manner rather than expecting, like Little Bo Peep, that I can "let them alone and they'll come home."

On the other hand I may have one of those "bowel diseases or abnormalities" that Susie notes - IBS - so I really can't comment on the "feeling better" part for people who have normal bowels, but for me enemas periodically and as needed do go a long way.

A number of the rationales bother me big time. Toxins? Most of the man-made toxins in the world today that get brought up as rationales are fat-soluble. This means that enemas won't do anything (this includes oil enemas, because the toxins won't make their way to the bowel to diffuse into the oil. Never heard this rationale, so it's a preemptive strike). "Autointoxication" NEVER had any evidence in support. As for "enemas prevented my colon polyps/colon cancer" think about it. Enemas once or twice a week will keep the supposed awful death-dealing stool off the wall of the colon for how long as a percentage of time? Not long. Enemas every day without a valid reason are probably too often, because they do affect the colon epithelium and microbial balance (though there are likely worse things that one could do, and many people do do). I slip into the daily habit every once and a while when things get really screwed up in Moliere's colon-land, but try to get off them as soon as possible.

Neither are the fetishes/kinks we all love and enjoy. But sometimes being emotionally satisfied or not can affect ones health. If an enema helps, in some unexplainable way, to make a person feel good/better than enjoy.

In that case take them, but take them because you like the feeling (and make sure you take them safely). Be honest with yourself and your reasons - why not? People don't feel compelled to come up with supposed health reasons for masturbating, or oral sex, heavy petting or similar activities, so why not give your kinks the same consideration?

Agreed, which is why I was interested in this 2016 study which investigated a form of daily home colonic (effectively an open-system colonic on the toilet) in the treatment of IBS. It's only a tiny pilot study (18 patients), but it did produce promising results and deserves to be investigated further (and the authors didn't have a financial conflict of interest, which is always a worry in studies of very specific treatments like this). It wasn't placebo controlled (not sure how you would do that for colonics/enemad, but there might be some clever way with flow rates), which is a shame, but like i say, it at least points the way for further studies.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960275/

Too short, too few patients, and as you said no attempt at blinding. Especially an issue as they were tracking self-reported data. Perhaps they could have had some "normal" patients in the irrigation group as well as having the person recording the improvement scores be blinded as to treatment type and having some patients on a sugar pill as part of "a study to assess a treatment to improve IBS symptoms". It would have still had issues, but might have been a bit better.

That said I have noticed very similar benefits over an extended time (but only in myself). Abdominal discomfort is down, frequency of elimination is up, and I generally feel better when I'm on my enema regimen. It isn't generally quite as frequent as this study had (2x a day!), as mine are closer to 2x/week unless things flare up. Bonus: an enema bag is probably quite a bit cheaper than that setup, and risk of water intoxication is probably less with 2x 2.5 liter enemas (though it generally doesn't seem to be an issue for people with normal colons and renal systems). I wonder how far up the colon the irrigation system is really getting, as their protocol was 5mL/s for 100s = 500mL sitting vs my enemas of 2-3 L while in knee-chest, Sims or flat on my back. I know mine fill my whole colon, don't know if that helps more.

Toxins? Most of the man-made toxins in the world today that get brought up as rationales are fat-soluble. This means that enemas won't do anything (this includes oil enemas, because the toxins won't make their way to the bowel to diffuse into the oil. Never heard this rationale, so it's a preemptive strike). "Autointoxication" NEVER had any evidence in support.

You are right: I agree completely.

Who cares...they feel soooo great that I don't care!!...mmm

I think they are psychologically good and, if so desired, necessary. They do a lot for my mental health.

Normal, healthy people derive no benefit from enemas or "colon cleansing".

I agree with Susie. I view myself as being healthy and I would have to say my enemas don't really make me more healthy. I do realize that I could stop doing enemas and I would still continue to be healthy and function normally.

That said, I love doing enemas because they are relaxing, soothing and very erotic which makes them psychologically addictive and maybe you could make a case that they make me happy so they contribute to my psychological health. I know that doing enemas is still seen as strange and not a positive experience for most, but on the other hand, there are many things that people do for pleasure that are total turnoffs for me. We all have our peculiarities.

My enemas provide me with true pleasure with no down side, which makes me a bit more happy and relaxed in day to day life and gives me something to look forward to. What more could you ask for.

Who cares...they feel soooo great that I don't care!!...mmm

That said, I love doing enemas because they are relaxing, soothing and very erotic which makes them psychologically addictive and maybe you could make a case that they make me happy so they contribute to my psychological health. I know that doing enemas is still seen as strange and not a positive experience for most, but on the other hand, there are many things that people do for pleasure that are total turnoffs for me. We all have our peculiarities.

My enemas provide me with true pleasure with no down side, which makes me a bit more happy and relaxed in day to day life and gives me something to look forward to. What more could you ask for.

You're both being honest about why you're doing them and not pretending that they will somehow "cleanse" you or "eliminate toxins" or whatever. I'd say go ahead and take them - everything I read seems to indicate that a carefully given "smart enema" (no stupid solutions, forcing things, or too hot), even every day, is probably better than drinking a Coke every day.

Experience Over 50 Years of taking enemas thousands of times is from where I try to contribute to this discussion. They are a sexual addiction and totally unnecessary for health. If You overdo it with poor solution selection or too much volume they have negative Health consequences and produce temporary poor health symptoms. They Can be Dangerous. When done in moderation they actually have a relaxing effect and make me feel good and healthy. If you feel lousy the next day It is probably over indulgence. There is fairly new Science on Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease That does not address many previous studies. Eating Healthy, Exercising And Sleep are Major Parts of Our Life That we Can control. Addictions that we cannot or do not want to live without are part of our Lives. I do Not Believe That Any new studies will determine that taking enemas is ever going to be recommended by the medical community.

Moliere, we do because we like enemas, and my meds constipate me.

Like shitting a brick without

I suppose that the answer upon this question will be a matter of people of different faiths: There will exist people living in the conviction that enemas are healthy and there will exist other people living in the conviction that enemas are not healthy - Make the right choice!

I would just say for me, enemas done in moderation don't affect my health one way or the other (I do them for erotic reasons). My body functions normally when I do enemas about once a week. After doing a three bag session using about 3 quarts for each enema I feel fine afterwards. I usually will not need to have my regular BMs the next day but my system is back to normal by the second day after. If I let my indulgence get the best of me, and I was doing even one bag a day I am pretty sure I would develop a lazy bowel and not be able to have BMs naturally, which I consider to be a negative health effect not positive.

So that's how it works for me.