About this topic
Doctors may suggest a sitz bath to ease pain and increase blood flow to your perineum or genitals. Your perineum is the part of your body between your vagina or scrotum and your rectum. A sitz bath may also help with burning, itching, or swelling. You may need to do sitz baths if you have: ‚
- Hemorrhoids
- Small tears around your rectum called anal fissures
- Had a vaginal delivery
- A vaginal infection
- Prostate problems
General
- Most of the time, your doctor will want you to do a sitz bath 3 or 4 times each day for 10 to 15 minutes each time.
- Your doctor may want you to do your sitz bath with plain water. Your doctor may have you add something to your sitz bath to make it work better.
- You can do a sitz bath in a couple of ways.
- In a clean bathtub ¢ ˆ ’ Sit in 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of warm water in the tub. Add more warm water if the water cools. Do not add soap, bubble bath, or shower gel to the water.
- Using a small plastic basin or tub that fits over an open toilet seat ¢ ˆ ’ Either pour warm water into the basin or use the plastic bag and tubing to fill the basin after sitting down. Extra water will flow into the toilet and can be flushed.
- Dry your bottom afterwards with care. Use a soft, clean towel or a hairdryer set on low to dry your bottom.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- More pain, redness, itching, or swelling to your perineum or genitals
Helpful tips
Use bleach or other household cleaner to clean the tub or basin after each use. Rinse well. ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-11-30 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚