According to medical experts, your wiping technique can put you at risk for many health issues.
Whether you choose to sit or stand, fold or crumple the toilet paper, or use four or 14 squares, most people probably do so without serious thought.
But there is a medically sound way to do things.
It is especially important for women to wipe back and forth to prevent feces from entering the urethra, which is shorter than that of men. The average number of sheets used per wipe varies between people, although the average is around seven
Given the importance of doing this task well – to avoid a urinary tract infection, for example – it deserves a reminder.
The importance of wiping back and forth is paramount, according to urinary and rectal health experts.
The back and forth pattern is particularly important for women, as fecal bacteria could otherwise enter the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder to where urine exits the body, leading to infection. urinary tract.
The National Institutes of Health consider proper wiping to be one of the best ways for women to avoid a urinary tract infection“Most UTIs come from bacteria that normally live around the rectum and anus.
“Therefore, any wiping motion starting closer to the rectum and then approaching the bladder opening area will bring potentially dangerous bacteria closer to the bladder and urinary tract.”
UTIs are of particular concern in women because their urethra is shorter than men’s, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Nearly one in three women will have had at least one UTI requiring prescribed antibiotics before the age of 24, and nearly half of all women will experience a UTI in their lifetime.
Men are also susceptible to urinary tract infections, but not often due to improper wiping, according to doctors at the Florida Urology Center.
They said: “Although it is rare, it is still possible for men to get a UTI when external bacteria enter the urinary tract. Men who use urinary catheters may be at increased risk. Hygiene, although important, is rarely an issue.
While men may not have to worry as much as women about the risk of UTIs from poor wiping technique, good hygiene that keeps germs and bacteria out is essential. to spread, which could make people sick.
A minimum of seven sheets per wipe is enough for the average person, according to surveys from cottonelle toilet paper manufacturer.
But a review of social media posts on the subject yielded starkly different results, with some Reddit users claiming they use 10-12 squares per cleanse, while others erred on the side of just four or five. squares to begin with and less thereafter. Another user, meanwhile, said he “wrapped” his hand with it.
Experts recommend toilet paper that is strong, absorbent, and soft. Wiping too much or too hard, especially with thin or rough paper, can lead to uncomfortable itching there, it’s called pruritus ani.
Doctors from Harvard Medical School have said: “Even if the anal area must be cleaned after each bowel movement, this cleaning must be gentle. Harsh rubbing and scrubbing, especially with soaps or other skin cleansers, can irritate the skin and trigger anal itching.
And there remains a big schism – or fissure – in the debate between sitting and standing to wipe. According to Cottonelle, there are good arguments on both sides.
The toilet paper giant said: “For keepers, the main benefit is that the cheeks stay apart, preventing any cheek-to-cheek smudging. This means easy access for cleaning.
“Standing people like their hands away from the toilet bowl (especially important for public restrooms) and accidentally touching a bare cheek or thigh with dirty toilet paper when they come for a visual inspection. .’
Consistent public polls show that sitting is the most commonly used technique, with a survey by Men’s Health magazine reporting that of more than 3,000 people surveyed, 65 percent were seated and 35 percent stood.
And when the contents of the toilet bowl reach the ventilator, such as during a bout of severe diarrhea, health experts recommend using unscented baby wipes to avoid irritation to the area while still keeping it clean.
A bidet, which connects to the plumbing system and squirts water into the rectum to thoroughly flush the area, might also be a good option for some.
