Enema
enema · cleansing enema · bowel washout
Water or a solution is put into the rectum to clean out the bowel. It is simple and usually does not hurt.
For constipation, before bowel tests and surgery, and sometimes before childbirth if needed.
⏱ Duration: usually 10 to 20 minutes, including emptying your bowel
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Toilet. Find out where the nearest toilet is. The urge may come quickly.
- Clothes. Wear clothes that are easy to take off below the waist. You can bring spare underwear.
What to bring
- Your referral
- Spare underwear
- Wet wipes
How it goes
- You lie on your left side and pull your knees up to your belly
- The nurse lubricates the tip and gently puts it into the anus
- The solution flows in slowly. Breathe through your mouth, deeply and calmly
- The tip is removed
- Lie still and hold it for as long as the nurse says, usually 5 to 10 minutes
- Then you go to the toilet
What you'll feel
- A feeling of fullness and an urge to go to the toilet
- Sometimes belly cramps. Breathe deeper and tell the nurse
Afterwards
- After emptying your bowel, you can go back to your day
- If the enema is before a test, follow your clinic's instructions
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Bleeding from the anus, strong belly pain, dizziness, or weakness: see a doctor right away or call emergency services
Common questions
Does an enema hurt?
Usually not. The fullness and the urge to go can be unpleasant. If it hurts, tell the nurse.
How long should I hold it after an enema?
Usually 5 to 10 minutes. The nurse will tell you exactly. This helps the solution soften the stool.