Sitz Baths: Benefits, Instructions & How to Use

A sitz bath refers to a warm water bath that people use for healing or cleansing. According to Harvard Health Publications, the name of the bath comes from the German word "sitzen," which means "to sit." To use it, you sit in a tub with water covering your hips and buttocks. The water sometimes contains medication. According to MedlinePlus, doctors often recommend a sitz bath to minimize pain and encourage healing after a hemorrhoid surgery or an episiotomy. A sitz bath can also reduce itching and muscle spasms.

Things You'll Need

• Warm water
• Sitz bath pan or regular bathtub
• Medication (optional)
• Towel or hair dryer

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill a sitz bath pan or a regular bathtub with a few inches of warm water.

• 2

  Pour any medication that your doctor recommends into the water. Follow the recommended dosage and instructions.

• 3

  Sit in the sitz bath for 20 minutes.

• 4

  Rinse with warm water.

• 5

  Use a soft towel to pat the anal area dry or use a hair dryer.