Australians are doing this toilet act all wrong, Dr Zac says
It’s something we’re all used to doing a certain way but others do it differently - and maybe they are on to something, Dr Zac says.
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Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explains whether wiping your bottom with toilet paper is healthy or not.
QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, I love Europe! From the streets to the shops and everything in-between. One thing that has always confused me is Europe’s obsession with bidets. Are they on to something that Australians are clueless about? Is it healthier to wash your bum with water than merely trying to clean it with toilet paper. Are bidets another example of European high culture that us average Aussies should adopt? – Sylvia 46 Wollongong
ANSWER: Bidets are fancy aren’t they! Even the word bidet sounds fancy and so European. For those of you who do not know what a bidet is: it’s a small bath-tub-like bowl with a tap that sits next to the toilet. People use it to clean themselves after going to the toilet.
There have been many gags in comedy movies over the years of someone washing their hands in a bidet thinking it was the sink.
Before we get into bidets, let’s talk about proper bum wiping technique. Did you know there is a correct way to wipe your bum? It is front to back. This allows for minimal cross contamination with your genitals.
This is something that has been explored by many health researchers. Does washing your taint with water give off a cleaner, healthier effect?
TRIGGER WARNING – in case you get queasy, the rest of this article will see us getting into the nitty gritty of bum cleanliness.
Bidets have been shown in studies to be more effective in removing faecal matter and reducing the risk of itchiness and infections. They beat toilet paper in cleanliness 10 times over.
There is no better analogy that explains the difference than stepping on dog poo. You wouldn’t simply wipe the poo off with paper towel and then walk across your home’s good carpet. You’d give it a good clean with water to ensure you got every skerrick off your shoe.
If you are an aficionado of having a clean bum, or know someone who needs a cleaner bum, then a bidet might be for them.
They are pretty effective in improving hygiene for people with haemorrhoids, diarrhoea or urinary incontinence. Bidets can improve quality of life for people with incontinence by promoting better hygiene and reducing skin breakdown.
If you fall into any of these categories, then you should consider installing a bidet.
If you don’t want to be fancy and European, you could also install a bum-gun. Formerly known as a ‘bidet spray’, they cost about $60 and can be easily bought from hardware stores such as Mitre 10 or Bunnings. These are easily installed on most toilets.
You will notice these bidet sprays attached to every toilet if you’ve holidayed in Bali or Thailand – they are right throughout South-East Asia.
If your household goes through a mountain of toilet paper each week – you’ll love this cost of living hack. Bidets reduce toilet paper usage considerably, which is better for the environment and our sewage systems. Imagine having one roll of loo paper last the whole month – it is possible with a bidet!
Bidets can be a more effective and hygienic way to clean the anal and genital areas compared to toilet paper alone. Bidets may be particularly beneficial for people with certain health conditions or those who struggle with proper wiping technique.
If you are considering using a bidet, it’s important to choose one that fits your needs and ensure proper installation and maintenance. Remember, bidets are one aspect of good toilet hygiene. Practices like proper wiping technique and maintaining a clean toilet environment are also crucial for maintaining good anogenital health.
Maybe the Europeans are right again!
Got a question: email askdrzac@conciergedoctors.com.au
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Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventive health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
Originally published as Australians are doing this toilet act all wrong, Dr Zac says
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