Best way to wipe your bum after using the toilet to avoid health risks

12 November 2023 , 08:03

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It's absolutely vital to make sure you're wiping properly after using the loo (Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)

Everyone learns to wipe their bum after a bowel movement when they're just a toddler. But could you still be doing wrong after all these years?

It's absolutely vital to make sure you're wiping properly after using the loo, because you could be risking a series of unwanted health conditions if you're not.

You might also find that just a few tweaks to your toilet paper routine could leave you feeling much fresher than before - and way more hygienic.

Wiping direction

The most hygienic way to wipe your bum is from front to back - particularly if you have a vulva.

It might feel more natural going from back to front, but the motion increases the chances of bacteria spreading to other parts of the body.

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If bacteria gets into your urethra, you're at a much higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Medical website Healthline said: "If you have a vulva, your urethra and anus are living in pretty tight quarters. This means your chances of spreading bacteria to your urethra, which can cause a UTI, are a lot higher.

"Unless you have physical limitations that prevent you from doing so, it’s best to reach around your body, behind your back and through your legs. This position allows you to wipe your anus from front to back, ensuring that faeces is always moving away from your urethra."

Toilet paper

The actual loo roll you decide to use could also have a big impact on your overall health, it's been claimed. Ideally, you'd opt for a non-scented, soft, toilet paper, according to New York gynaecologist Alyssa Dweck.

She told Health that a scratchy toilet roll could lead to irritation or an allergic reaction. These reactions won't necessarily affect everyone, but it's best to just lower your risk altogether and avoid.

Scrub or dab?

For most people, a quick scrub with toilet roll should be enough to keep your bum squeaky clean after using the loo.

But, if you've already got a medical condition like haemorrhoids or anal fissures, you should avoid scrubbing wherever you can, as it increases the risk of bleeding or pain.

Gently dab your bum with a damp piece of loo roll if you've got haemorrhoids, or even try simply hopping in the shower instead.

As a side note, it's also vital to make sure you properly wash your hands after using the toilet. Hidden germs can sneak beneath your fingernails, and if you don't wash them away, you could pass them to other people.

You risk getting seriously sick and spreading germs if you don't wash your hands with soap every time you use the loo.

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