Doctors share the best ways to get the most from a bidet
[February 02, 2026]
By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK (AP) — Once considered an oddity in American homes, bidets are
becoming increasingly common as more people seek a hygienic and
sustainable alternative to toilet paper or a hand managing certain
physical conditions.
Toilet paper shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic helped demystify the
devices for U.S. consumers, although Italy, Japan and some other
countries where bidets are standard bathroom features also saw runs on
TP. Environmental awareness, less expensive bidet options and the
development of smart toilets that perform multiple functions have given
further momentum to the idea of rinsing instead of wiping.
Bidets even earned a moment in the national spotlight last month when
Zorhan Mamdani, New York City's new mayor, said he hoped to have them
installed in the bathrooms of Gracie Mansion, the 18th century Manhattan
home that serves as the official residence of the city's chief
executive.
Medical professionals sometimes recommend bidets for patients with
hemorrhoids, in recovery from surgery, or who have limited mobility due
to age or disabilities. But experts say bidets are not best for everyone
and need to be used properly to prevent other problems.
Here are some of the ins and outs to consider.
Bidets for every budget
Bidets use a jet of water to clean the genitals and anal area after
someone goes to the bathroom. They originally existed mainly as
standalone fixtures separate from toilets.
These days, the options include toilet seat attachments and hand-held
versions that resemble detachable shower heads. Many of the latest
“smart” toilets come with integrated bidets and feature heated seats,
adjustable water pressure and air dryers.
On YouTube and other social media platforms, there are videos
demonstrations of how to make a portable bidet with a plastic soda
bottle.
Proper bidet etiquette
Bidet converts tend to rave about how much cleaner the appliances leave
them feeling. Since all toileting activity involves delicate body parts
and bacteria, experts stress that correct bidet use is required to make
the activity as sanitary as possible.
When using standalone bidets and ones installed on toilets, it's best,
especially for women, to turn on the faucet while facing the controls so
the washing is done from front to back, according to Dr. David
Rivadeneira, a colorectal surgeon with the Huntington Hospital in
Huntington, New York.
That position prevents the transfer of bacteria from the anal area to
the urethra, Rivadeneira said.
Most doctors recommend using warm water at low pressure for up to a few
minutes, avoiding any extreme temperatures. You can also try a gentle
soap if desired, but it's usually not necessary for regular bidet users.
Rivadeneira cautions patients against trying to inject water into the
anus since the devices are not meant for internal use.
“You're not supposed to be substituting it for a colonic or an enema,"
he said.
After washing, pat dry with toilet paper or a dedicated cotton towel to
remove any remaining stool and to prevent yeast infections, experts say.
Bidets can be used every day but are most appropriate after a bowel
movement. Overuse may cause skin irritation, according to medical
experts.
Proper bidet maintenance also matters, said Dr. Neal H. Patel, a family
physician with the Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County,
California. Make sure to wipe down the nozzle every week or two with
disinfectant wipes to remove bacteria, he said.
Some benefits of bidets
Dr. Danielle Antosh, a urogynecologist in Houston, said some studies
have showed that a bidet leaves less bacteria on a user's hand compared
to toilet paper, but the research remains too limited to know for sure.
However, doctors who are in favor of bidets think the devices are less
harsh on sensitive skin than toilet paper.
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A smart bidet sits in a bathroom at the McKechnie Family LIFE Home
on the University Illinois campus in Champaign, Ill., Thursday, Dec.
9, 2021. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP, File)
 “The texture of toilet paper can
cause irritation and itching, while the gentle water stream of a
bidet is less abrasive and healthier for the skin,” Dr. George
Ellis, a urologist in Orlando, Florida, said.
Bidets therefore may benefit people with chronic diarrhea or other
conditions that necessitate a lot of wiping, as well as those who
are prone to urinary tract infections, medical experts said. They
also may help relieve discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal
fissures, they said.
Three dermatologists from the University of Tennessee Health Science
Center wrote in a 2023 editorial in the International Journal of
Women's Dermatology that their peers should be “aware of the
commonality of bidet use outside of American culture” and
comfortable recommending bidets because skin conditions such as
eczema, psoriasis and contact dermatitis can occur in the perianal
region.
They also argued that by helping people with physical limitations
clean themselves independently after using the toilet, bidets can
reduce the workload of caregivers, most of whom are women.
When to turn away from a bidet
Bidets are another example where it's possible to get too much of a
good thing. Some doctors in Japan have advised patients who reported
rashes or difficulty controlling their bowels after frequent bottom
cleansing to stop using bidets until the conditions cleared up.
Antosh recommends checking with a doctor before using a
high-pressure bidet right after childbirth or if you have genital
ulcers because powerful streams of water may be irritating.
Dr. Jenna Queller, a dermatologist and founder of Boca Raton,
Florida-based DermWorks, said the same was true for people with
genital eczema or psoriasis. She recommends moisturizing the areas
after using a bidet to prevent irritation..
And while bidets may offer relief for an itchy bottom, always
consult a doctor if there's persistent bleeding from fissures or
hemorrhoids because you could have a more serious condition,
Rivadeneira advises.
The green factor
Bidets generally are recognized as a greener choice than toilet
paper by most environmental groups and scientists. The non-profit
Natural Resources Defense Council said in a recent report that the
devices “significantly cut down on the use of toilet paper, helping
to lessen the environmental impacts associated with tissue
production.”
Gary Bull, a professor emeritus of forestry at the University of
British Columbia told The Associated Press in a recent interview
that while it makes sense and is agreed bidets are more sustainable,
truly knowing the environmental impact of a product requires
calculating all the carbon emitted and energy used in making the
products and through the end of their life cycles.
Fancier bidets, for example, use electricity to heat the water and
seat, he noted.
“I was working out in my own house last night putting in a Japanese
bidet because I just came back from Japan, and I went, ‘OK, so this
is good,’” Bull said. “But then if I look at that bidet, if I’m
doing an honest assessment cradle to cradle, then I have to look at
the water consumption, the energy consumption, a whole bunch of
other things, to know whether or not that is a better choice for me
as a consumer versus toilet tissue.”
Andrea Hicks, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at
the University of Wisconsin, suggested thinking about how dry or wet
a climate you live in before making a decision.
In a “water-stressed” state like Arizona, toilet paper may be the
more sustainable choice, while a bidet might more sense in a place
where water is abundant, Hicks said.
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