A bidet is a hygiene fixture designed to use a stream of water for cleansing after using the toilet, offering a refreshed feeling that is often more thorough than dry toilet paper. This device is widely adopted across many parts of the world as a standard for personal cleanliness. Questions frequently arise about whether the water is meant to clean the body internally or externally. Understanding the intended function is important for effective hygiene and avoiding misuse.
The Intended Target Area for Bidet Use
Standard bidets, whether standalone fixtures or modern toilet seat attachments, are engineered solely for external washing of the perineal and anal areas. The design focuses on surface cleansing to remove residue from the skin. The spray targets the outer anal region for posterior cleansing and the vulvar area for feminine cleansing, not internal body cavities.
The water pressure in consumer bidets is adjustable, featuring low-to-moderate settings optimized for comfort and surface effectiveness. Manufacturers recommend starting on the lowest setting and only increasing the force gently to ensure the water cleans the surface without causing discomfort. This pressure is calibrated to clear away material but is not sufficient for deep penetration into the body.
Proper bidet use involves directing the stream to wash from front to back, which helps prevent the spread of fecal bacteria toward the urethra or vagina. The goal is to gently rinse the soiled area, leaving the skin clean before patting dry or using an air dryer feature. The process should feel like a gentle rinse, confirming that the cleaning action is strictly external.
Differentiating Standard Bidets from Internal Tools
The confusion regarding internal versus external cleaning is understandable because specialized medical devices exist for internal irrigation. Standard consumer bidets are primarily hygiene tools for post-toilet surface cleaning. They function by directing a water spray from a nozzle that remains outside the body, focusing on the exterior of the anal and genital regions.
In contrast, tools designed for internal cleansing, such as enema nozzles or douches, have specific designs and purposes. Enema devices are used for medical reasons or to alleviate constipation by introducing a controlled volume of water into the rectum. These tools often involve a narrower, longer nozzle designed to bypass the anal sphincter for deeper irrigation, which is fundamentally different from a standard bidet’s operation.
Certain advanced bidet models include an “enema wash” setting, which features an extra-strong, narrow water stream. This feature uses the force of the water to encourage a bowel movement by introducing a small amount of water just past the outer anal sphincter. While this is an exception to strictly external cleaning, it is a specialized function and not the intended use of the standard wash cycle. Using a standard bidet’s normal setting for internal flushing is considered misuse and can be harmful.
Health Risks of Internal Water Pressure
Introducing water internally with a standard bidet is discouraged because it carries several physiological and biological risks. One concern is the potential for disrupting the body’s natural microflora, particularly in the vaginal area. The vagina maintains a delicate balance of protective bacteria, such as Lactobacillus species, and using a bidet’s water stream internally can strip away these beneficial organisms.
This disruption of the vaginal microbiome can lead to dysbiosis, which increases the risk of developing infections like bacterial vaginosis. Studies suggest that habitual use of warm-water bidets may be associated with a higher rate of abnormal vaginal colonization with fecal bacteria. The internal environment of the rectum and vagina is self-regulating, and forcing water inside interferes with these natural protective mechanisms.
Beyond microbiological concerns, excessive internal water pressure, even from a bidet set too high, can cause direct tissue trauma. The mucosal lining of the anorectal area is delicate and not designed to withstand high-pressure water jets. Internal cleaning with strong pressure has been linked to severe irritation, minor tears, and in rare cases, rectal ulcers.
There is also a risk of introducing pathogens into the body from the bidet system itself. Research has shown that the warm-water nozzles of bidet toilets can become contaminated with a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. If this non-sterile water is forced internally, it can increase the risk of infection, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems. Therefore, using the bidet only for its intended external function is the safest practice.