Do Sitz Baths Relieve Hemorrhoid Pain?

Yes, sitz baths relieve hemorrhoid pain, but the relief is only temporary. That's because sitz baths relieve hemorrhoids, but they don't cure them. Let's look more closely at what a sitz bath is and the benefits it provides for hemorrhoid treatment.

What Is A Sitz Bath?

A sitz bath is a form of hydrotherapy, or water therapy, in which you immerse your buttocks in water and relax. Because people often also immerse their hips, it's sometimes called a "hip bath." Many doctors, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, recommend sitz baths as an effective treatment for soothing and relieving hemorrhoids.

The term sitz derives from the German word sitzen, which means "to sit." You can take a sitz bath in two ways:

• Sit in a bathtub with your knees to your chest to keep your bottom immersed underwater
• Sit in a sitz basin that is placed on top of your toilet seat

To treat hemorrhoids, sit in about 6 inches of warm water (not hot water) for 15 to 25 minutes. Doctors generally recommend that you take a sitz bath about three times a day during flare-ups. Some also recommend taking one after any bowel movement if it's practical.

The purpose is to relieve the pressure on your hemorrhoids by relaxing your anal sphincter muscle. That's the muscle that opens and closes your anus. The warm water draws blood to the area. This, in turn, shrinks and relaxes those swollen, prolapsed veins that are so painful when you touch them. Shrinking these external hemorrhoids lessens the pressure on them, which eases the throbbing that causes you so much pain.

Why Take Sitz Baths?

If sitz baths won't cure your hemorrhoids, why should you bother to take them? Several reasons:

1. Because they shrink swollen tissues, they relieve pain quickly and effectively.
2. You can take sitz baths in the privacy of your own home as often as you want.
3. They're hygienic; sitz baths are an important tool for keeping this often painful area clean.
4. They're safe because they don't require any chemicals to be effective.
5. You don't have to buy any equipment to take them. If you can use a bathtub, you can take a sitz bath. If you can't, purchase a sitz basin to place over your toilet seat for about $10-$12.
6. Sitz baths don't require a prescription.
7. They won't worsen your hemorrhoids, and they can improve them substantially.
8. They're easy to do. You just sit in warm water for 15-25 minutes and relax.

In the next article, I'll describe how to prepare the perfect sitz bath treatment for hemorrhoid relief.