Doctor Recommends Enema for Adults

My family is fortunate to have a doctor who practices traditional "western medicine" but is knowledgeable and sensitive to alternative treatments, including enemas, when she feels they're needed. I think she's in her late 60s, but she still practices and has been a wonderful friend to our family. So, on occasion through the years when she suggested an enema when I or my husband were down with a fever, it wasn't that unusual.

I've posted several times concerning our pediatrician who was a strong advocate of enemas. As I got older, and went to my parent's family doctor, I also discovered that their doctor, and his nurse, were also proponents of enemas as an effective alternative to laxatives. I've posted of experiences that I had with them as well. They've been retired since the 90's and may have been amongst a few holdouts who believed in the efficacy of enema use for various maladies.

I was in my 20's and was off work for a few days with some digestive issues. My employer had a policy of requiring a doctor's note if one used "sick leave" more than 2 days. That meant contacting the doctor when it was apparent that I'd need the note. Nurse Marge said the doctor suggested an enema, or two if necessary, to resolve my problem. She provided some detail on the procedure and solution.

Late in the day, the doctor called me and asked if I had any luck with the enema(s). He asked how effective it was, and if I needed more than 1 for relief. I told him they did the trick. Marge had my note ready when I stopped to pick it up. She winked at me and commented that more people should avail themselves to these simple remedies.

I have posted to other topics that are close in nature to this topic. I was recently talking with my family doctor when I was discussing what to do when my BMs were not keeping pace and she pretty much recommended the traditional over the counter Mylanta laxative as a place to start. I mentioned that I have done enemas and that they were successful. She said they were fine just as long as they are not done too often and that I get dependent on them to have a BM. The conversation was pretty matter of fact and did not go much further than that. Now of course I did not get into the erotic side of my enema use which would have been very awkward for me. But her advice was sound and I have long since known that I should and have through years of experience kept my enema use in a way that doesn't upset my normal digestive's system function. If I don't do enemas for several weeks my system functions OK. But I do feel when I do a session it does help to hit the reset button and my system functions very efficiently afterwards.

I once was discussing some exceptional constipation I had had (following surgery and painkillers) with my regular physician, she wanted to know how long it lasted and how it ended. I had a lapse of reason and said "my wife gave me an enema". She did not bat an eye and asked whether the problem returned after that.

she pretty much recommended the traditional over the counter Mylanta laxative as a place to start. ... I mentioned that I have done enemas and that they were successful. She said they were fine just as long as they are not done too often and that I get dependent on them .

Didn't you then ask what should happen if you got too dependent on the laxative? That is just as likely to happen I'd think.

Didn't you then ask what should happen if you got too dependent on the laxative? That is just as likely to happen I'd think.

Good point. No I did not go down that road. I pretty much made my case for enemas and that they worked. She was fine with me doing enemas as way to deal with an occasional slow bowel. I was not chronically constipated and in need of daily laxatives or enemas. And I don't recall specifically what was said but I seem to remember saying I did not like laxatives given you have to take them the night before and hope they work by the next morning- the enemas were much more reliable.

Maybe one day we will see a return of this simple but effective means of tending a person's gastro intestinal upsets rather than the ridiculous amount of OC consumer products thrust upon the general public

I have been on Ozempic for quite a while now. It has been a wonder drug to control my type II diabetes. The major side effect is occasional constipation. Sometimes the constipation is horrible with gut cramps in the middle of the night, to hard stool that is painfull to pass. In talking to my Dr. I have told her that I prefer to treat it with enemas. Her response surprised me. Instead of lecturing me about more fiber ect. She said “well you get a nice cleanse that way”. So I guess that meant she was OK with it.

If you ask naturopathic doctors, including mine, I think you’ll discover that the warm water enema hasn’t disappeared from their suggested to-do list when a patient has a bad cold, fever and/or flu.

The naturopath who I have been seeing says that cleansing the colon, combined with broth-type soups, yogurt and other easy to digest foods, reduces the strain on the digestive system. This allows for a slow-down and rest when a body is, in her words, “in a crisis.” Extra fluids and getting more sleep are especially important in helping the body to recover.

She recommends using non-chlorinated water in the enema. If the patient is constipated, add a small amount of Castile soap to stimulate the colon to release. Gosh, where have I heard this before? Could it be that doctors in the 1940s and 50s also had this idea?

I use a combination of warm water and Dr. Bonner’s peppermint soap enemas for regularity and for pleasure and relaxation.

My lady enemates always comment on how good they feel when we complete a series of soap and water enemas.

I recall as a kid visiting our family physician of long standing w / my mom when she was ill . Our family doctor always advised her to ‘ take ’ or ‘ have someone give you ’ an enema . Indeed , our family doctor was very ‘ pro-enema ’ as to illness whether that illness was pediatric or adult . Of course my mother ‘ followed to the letter ’ his ‘ take an enema ’ medical council but then ………… she was going to anyway . She was fortunate as for her an enema was ‘ just a phone call away ’ as to her mom or another lady relative / friend visiting our home ‘ to do the honors ’ all according to as she would share with her enema administrator ‘ doctor’s orders ‘ and it was made so . As I have posted in another post , the same applied to me as in ….. ’ …Doctor recommends enema ……………. ' and again , it was made so when we returned home .

Was sick a lot in early 1950's , Doc made house calls , remember hearing , “better give him a couple ENEMAS ” as he packed his bag gettin ready to end visit . Mom always followed Doc's orders .