A bidet sprays water on your nether regions after you’ve gone No.1 or No. 2, and offers a more, ahem, thorough cleanse than traditional toilet paper wiping.
We use water to clean just about everything else — and every other part of our body ― so why have we come to rely solely on toilet paper for this one area?
Wiping exclusively with toilet paper can leave behind poop residue, according to Dr. Samantha Nazareth, a board-certified gastroenterologist in New York City. A spray of water ensures everything is washed off, and it saves your bum from any potential irritation.
“Wiping with toilet paper frequently can cause the skin by the anus to become irritated,” Nazareth said. “Bidets also allow us to clean ourselves hands-free.”
This hands-free idea really hits home when you think about how much of that bacteria ends up sticking to your phone, especially if your find bathroom breaks are better with Instagram. Enough said.
Water is generally the best option when it comes to cleaning that area, according to Dr. Kecia Gaither, a board-certified OB-GYN in New York City. That’s especially true if you’re on your period, pregnant or just have a lot of bowel movements.
“For women during their periods, it’s exceedingly helpful for cleansing the perianal area,” Gaither said. “For a pregnant woman and/or anyone who suffers from hemorrhoids or has a gastrointestinal issue resulting in multiple daily bowel movements, it’s helpful to have a warm stream of water to cleanse the area as opposed to toilet paper, which can be abrasive.”
Steps for Using the Bidet
Using a bidet may sound like a difficult process and maybe a bit intimidating at first, but it's really very simple and depends on the type of bidet that you are using:
- Use the toilet as you normally do, both for urination and for defecation. The bidet can be used after you wipe with toilet paper or without the use of toilet paper — a totally personal preference.
- Locate the bidet. There are three basic types of bidet: standalone, seat-mounted or wall hanging. For the standalone type, you must move off the toilet and straddle the bidet, either facing the water jet or with your back to it. Again, personal preference. For the type of bidet attached to the toilet seat, locate the controls, which will either be mounted on the wall or attached to the seat itself. The wall hanging type of bidet will function much as a hand-held shower device.
- Dry yourself after you are finished. Some bidet models have an air drying system, which you will operate with the controls and which can, of course, be used in combination with toilet paper should you feel the need. Some models don't include the air-dry feature and necessitate the use of toilet paper.