How to Take a Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is a hydrotherapy practice that consists of sitting in water—whether hot, lukewarm, or cold. The chosen temperature helps to affect circulation in the perineal area and relax the muscles. The perineum is located between the anus and the vulva in women, and between the anus and the scrotum in men: this is the area one seeks to immerse.

A sitz bath is traditionally practiced to:

• tone the body and support the immune system;
• soothe fever or diaper rash;
• support digestive transit issues;
• relieve pain and itching associated with cysts and hemorrhoids;
• soothe an anal fissure;
• relieve the perineum after childbirth;
• clean and soothe the anal or perineal area after surgical intervention;
• relieve pain linked to the prostate, in cases of prostatitis or after an operation;
• soothe menstrual cramps;
• clean the anal and genital areas when a shower is not possible.

How to take a sitz bath

A sitz bath can be performed in two ways.

In a bathtub or a large basin

To take a sitz bath in a bathtub, first ensure it is clean. Fill it with 10 to 20 cm of water, hot or cold depending on the desired use.

You can add salt, clay, plants, or any other ingredient suited to your needs.

Step into the bathtub and sit down gently. For elderly people or those with reduced mobility, hold onto a grab bar or ask for assistance from a loved one or caregiver.

Do not enter the bath if the temperature is truly too difficult to bear. At first, adjust it so that it remains comfortable: over time, you will be able to use hotter or colder water according to your needs.

If you have a lesion, contact with water may be unpleasant at first, but the sensation subsides very quickly. Ensure the area to be treated is well immersed: you can pull your knees up to expose it more.

Avoid this method if your mobility is reduced (pregnancy, elderly, disability). Even for an able-bodied person, holding the position for several minutes is not comfortable at all.

With a sitz bath basin

This is the method we recommend: the simplest and safest.

A sitz bath basin is a plastic container specially designed to be placed on a toilet bowl.

This method is much more practical and economical than the bathtub: you use much less water—a few liters are enough—and you remain comfortably seated for the entire duration of the bath. No balance problems, no awkward position to hold.

Plus, you can take it anywhere. Our models fit 99% of standard toilet bowls.

A basin only requires removing the bottom of your clothing. You therefore remain dressed, which avoids cooling the rest of the body in the context of a cold bath—which is much more difficult in a bathtub. Very appreciated in winter, or for those who get cold easily.

We offer a wide range of basins adapted for sitz baths: there is something for every taste; don't hesitate to take a look at the collection.

1 — Lift the toilet seat and place the previously cleaned basin onto the rim of the bowl.

Check that it is stable. Only then, fill it with water to a depth of 5 to 10 cm: this avoids spilling while carrying it.

Check the temperature and add salt, clay, or plants if needed. Some models are equipped with drainage vents at the back, which allow excess water to flow into the bowl. Otherwise, simply take care not to overfill it.

Other models come equipped with a pump, which facilitates contact between the water and the intimate areas. Very useful for a friction sitz bath or for intimate hygiene.

2 — Sit on the basin and ensure the area to be treated is well immersed.

Depending on your body shape and the area concerned, you may need to raise your legs slightly. For maximum comfort, we offer a range of toilet stools that perfectly follow the contours of the toilet. They save space and can be used safely thanks to anti-slip pads.

How long does a sitz bath last?

Generally, count on 10 to 15 minutes, with a maximum of 20 minutes. Two exceptions: the cold morning sitz bath, purely tonic, is limited to 5 minutes; and during a hemorrhoidal crisis, stay for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

In the case of a hot sitz bath, do not hesitate to add a little hot water during the session to maintain the temperature. Just check that it is not too hot before sitting back down.

Getting out of the sitz bath

Stand up slowly from the bathtub to avoid any dizziness. Hold onto a grab bar if necessary, or ask for help. You will not experience this kind of inconvenience with a basin placed on the toilet.

Pat dry the anal area, the perineum, and the genitals with a clean towel. Never rub: this irritates the skin.

Wash your hands and clean the bathtub or basin with soapy water after each use.

The sitz bath for intimate hygiene

You can also clean your intimate parts after using the toilet or after intercourse, thanks to the basin. Cleaning with water is much more effective and much gentler on the skin than toilet paper: it is the ideal choice if you are prone to chronic irritation. Besides being eco-friendly, you save on toilet paper: the average expenditure is estimated at €90 per person per year, or nearly €360 for a family of four. A purchase that pays for itself quickly.

Sitz baths and hemorrhoids

The cold sitz bath is the most common traditional reflex for a hemorrhoidal crisis: cold has an anesthetic effect and tightens dilated veins. Count on water between 10 and 20 °C, for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Avoid hot water during a crisis: it dilates the vessels and increases discomfort. Plants or bath salts added to the water are traditionally used to strengthen the soothing effect.

Sitz baths and yeast infections

Vulvo-vaginal yeast infections are fungal infections linked to an imbalance in the flora. Common symptoms are itching, burning, and unusual odors. Antifungal treatment prescribed by a doctor remains the gold standard; but when the flora repeatedly becomes imbalanced, a sitz bath with a tablespoon of baking soda per liter of lukewarm water is the most commonly used supplemental action. Do not repeat this too often: a pH imbalance in the other direction would again promote yeast infections. And remember that rinsing remains external—the inside of the vagina is self-regulating.

The cold sitz bath

The cold sitz bath is traditionally used to:

• soothe pain and inflammation related to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and yeast infections;
• reduce the feeling of swelling in the anal or genital area;
• stimulate circulation throughout the perineal area, which promotes tissue oxygenation;
• calm itching;
• support healing, when mixed with a little green clay;
• tone the body through short exposure to cold, which forces it to produce heat.

The hot sitz bath

Heat helps to release muscle tension in the anal region. Sitting in hot water is also the traditional reflex in cases of constipation—but be careful never to use it during a hemorrhoidal crisis.

You can also try alternating hot/cold to further stimulate circulation. However, this assumes you have no particular medical condition and are in good shape. Avoid it if you are elderly, tired, or suffering from chronic exhaustion. Try it in summer rather than winter, a period when the body is already under more stress.

The medical sitz bath

Certain therapeutic sitz baths are prescribed by medical specialists, mainly to support healing after an operation—the removal of hemorrhoids, for example. They generally contain an antiseptic and should never be replicated at home without a prescription.

You can take sitz baths 2 to 3 times a day, or as often as your doctor advises.

There you go, you know everything about the practice of the sitz bath: all that's left is for you to try it. Discover our sitz bath basin now, delivered for free in France.

The sitz bath is a hygiene and wellness practice. It does not replace medical treatment, but can accompany it. Always seek the advice of your doctor.