Bidet Toilet and Hemorrhoids: Do Bidets Help, Hurt, or Cause Side Effects? What the Research Actually Shows

Bidet Toilet and Hemorrhoids: Do Bidets Help, Hurt, or Cause Side Effects?

Last Updated: June 2026 | Medically Reviewed | Based on Clinical Research

If you've ever searched "bidet hemorrhoids" late at night while sitting in discomfort, you've probably found two completely opposite answers: 

Some sources claim bidets are a soothing, doctor-recommended remedy, while others warn that bidets can worsen hemorrhoids or even cause new problems. 

So which is it?

The honest answer is more nuanced than either extreme. Bidets are not a proven cure for hemorrhoids, but there's no credible evidence that normal, gentle bidet use causes them either. 

At the same time, bidets aren't entirely risk-free — misuse, particularly high water pressure and excessive frequency, has been linked in medical case reports to real anorectal side effects. 

This article breaks down what colorectal research actually says about bidets and hemorrhoids, the documented side effects of improper use, and how to use a bidet safely if you're managing hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or general anorectal discomfort.

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Can a Bidet Cause Hemorrhoids?

No strong evidence supports the claim that bidet use causes hemorrhoids. 

Hemorrhoids develop primarily from increased pressure in the veins around the anus and rectum, driven by factors such as chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting on the toilet, pregnancy, obesity, and a low-fiber diet — not from washing with water afterward.

A systematic review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined habitual bidet use and benign anorectal disease. 

It found that bidet use did not increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids or hemorrhoid symptoms after one to three years of regular use, based on prospective follow-up data. 

A separate three-year web-based follow-up study similarly found no statistically significant increase in hemorrhoid risk among habitual bidet users compared to non-users.

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Can Bidets Actually Help With Hemorrhoids?

There's reasonable physiological logic — though not yet strong clinical-trial evidence — for why a bidet might help someone managing hemorrhoids:

1. Gentler than dry wiping

Rubbing irritated, swollen tissue with dry or textured toilet paper can worsen pain, cause micro-tears, and trigger bleeding. A gentle water rinse cleans without that mechanical friction.

2. Mimics a sitz bath

Warm water is a standard, doctor-recommended home treatment for hemorrhoid symptom relief. A bidet's warm water function offers a similar soothing effect, though on a shorter timescale than a full 10–15 minute sitz bath soak.

3. May reduce straining

Some limited research suggests that directing a water stream at the anal area can help stimulate a bowel movement, potentially reducing the need to strain — one of the key contributors to hemorrhoid formation and flare-ups.

4. Comparable recovery outcomes after surgery

One study comparing traditional sitz baths to warm water bidet-style sprays after hemorrhoid surgery found no significant difference in wound healing or recovery time between the two, though patients found the bidet spray more convenient.

Medical reviewers are careful to note, however, that the overall evidence base is still thin. As one physician quoted in a Smithsonian Magazine feature on bidets put it, there simply isn't strong data showing that bidets provide health benefits over toilet paper for conditions like hemorrhoids, fissures, or infections — the appeal is largely about comfort and hygiene rather than proven medical treatment.

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The Real Side Effects: What Happens When Bidets Are Used Incorrectly

While a properly used bidet is unlikely to cause harm, documented case reports and clinical observations point to genuine side effects associated with high water pressure, poor technique, or overuse:

1. Anal Fissures and Mucosal Tears

A forceful, high-pressure water jet aimed directly and repeatedly at the anus can cause small tears in the delicate anal lining, similar to how straining during bowel movements causes fissures.

2. Rectal Ulcers (Rare but Documented)

Case reports in medical literature describe patients who developed rectal ulcers and mucosal damage after habitually using electric bidet toilets at maximum water pressure for extended periods multiple times per day. 

These are extreme-use cases, but they demonstrate that "more pressure" is not "more clean" — and can cause direct mechanical injury to rectal tissue.

3. Dyssynergic Defecation

High-pressure water jets can trigger a reflex contraction of the anal sphincter rather than relaxation, which — paradoxically — can make it harder to fully empty the bowels and may contribute to straining over time.

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4. Anal Pruritus (Itching)

Frequent or vigorous bidet use, especially with harsh soaps on the nozzle or overly forceful water, can irritate the sensitive perianal skin, leading to persistent itching and discomfort.

5. Urinary Tract and Vaginal Infections (With Improper Technique)

When water pressure is too high, fine mist and splashback can carry bacteria from the anal area toward the urethra or vaginal opening. Directing the spray from back-to-front, rather than front-to-back, meaningfully raises this risk — particularly for women. Excessive or overly frequent bidet use has also been associated with disruption of normal vaginal flora, which can increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis.

6. Nozzle Contamination

If a bidet's nozzle isn't self-cleaning or isn't cleaned regularly, it can harbor bacteria such as E. coli, creating a cross-contamination risk with each use — especially in shared bathrooms.

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How to Use a Bidet Safely If You Have Hemorrhoids

• Keep water pressure low to moderate: You want a gentle rinse, not a forceful jet. If your model has adjustable pressure, start on the lowest setting.
• Use lukewarm water: not hot, to avoid drying out or irritating already-sensitive skin.
• Limit session length: A brief rinse (well under a minute) is enough for cleaning; you don't need to hold the stream in place for an extended period.
• Always spray front-to-back: (for women in particular) to avoid pushing bacteria toward the urethra or vagina.
• Pat dry gently: with a soft towel, toilet paper, or the bidet's air-dry function — avoid rubbing, which can further irritate hemorrhoids or fissures.
• Clean the nozzle regularly: with mild soap and water, and choose a model with a self-cleaning nozzle if possible.
• Don't overdo it: Using a bidet after every bowel movement is fine for most people, but repeatedly rinsing throughout the day "just in case" isn't necessary and can increase irritation risk.
• Stop and see a doctor: if you notice new bleeding, worsening pain, persistent itching, unusual discharge, or signs of infection after starting bidet use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a bidet better than toilet paper for hemorrhoids

Many people find water more comfortable and less irritating than dry wiping, and it mimics some aspects of a sitz bath. However, current research doesn't show it as a clinically proven treatment — it's best thought of as a comfort measure alongside standard hemorrhoid care (fiber, hydration, topical treatments, and your doctor's guidance).

2. Can using a bidet make hemorrhoids worse 

Gentle, correctly used bidets are unlikely to worsen hemorrhoids. High water pressure, prolonged use, or aiming the stream too forcefully at inflamed tissue can cause irritation, and in rare documented cases, more serious mucosal injury.

3. Should I stop using a bidet if I have hemorrhoids

Not necessarily — most people can continue using a bidet safely by keeping the pressure low, water lukewarm, and sessions brief. If you notice new or worsening symptoms, pause use and talk to a doctor.

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Conclusion

The relationship between bidets and hemorrhoids is more myth than medicine on both sides of the debate. 

There's no credible evidence that using a bidet causes hemorrhoids, and used gently, a bidet can be a more comfortable, less abrasive alternative to dry toilet paper for people managing hemorrhoid symptoms. 

That said, bidets aren't automatically risk-free: documented case reports show that high water pressure, poor technique, and overuse can lead to real side effects, from anal fissures and itching to rare but serious rectal injury. The takeaway is simple — moderation and proper technique matter. 

If you have persistent, worsening, or severe hemorrhoid symptoms, a bidet is not a substitute for medical evaluation, and you should talk to a doctor or colorectal specialist about the right treatment plan for you.

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• The 7 Best Bidets for Hemorrhoids.
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• Does Coffee Make Your Hemorrhoids Worse?
• 7 Best Witch Hazel Wipes for Hemorrhoids.
• Can I touch my external hemorrhoids?
• Myths and facts about hemorrhoids.
• How to heal your anus after constipation?

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 📚 Medical sources

1. PMC / National Library of Medicine (NIH) — Be Kind to Your Behind: A Systematic Review of the Habitual Use of Bidets in Benign Perianal Disease 
2. National Library of Medicine (NIH) — Rectal Ulcer After Rectal Washing With a Bidet Toilet 
3. National Library of Medicine (NIH) — Severe Circumferential Rectal Ulcer Associated with Electric Bidet Toilet Use 
4. Smithsonian Magazine — The Bottom Line About Bidets (featuring commentary from colorectal physicians) 
5. The People's Pharmacy — Bidets for Hemorrhoids? Readers Say Yes, Science Isn't Sure 

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have persistent or severe hemorrhoid symptoms, bleeding, or anorectal pain, consult a doctor or colorectal specialist.