If your physician has recommended taking a sitz bath at home for relief of pain, spasms, itching, swelling or other discomfort from a medical issue in the lower region of your body, it’s because many of these symptoms can be helped through hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, aids in the healing process as well as helping the discomfort to subside. It allows the body to focus on the affected area and also, soaking in the warm water brings more blood flowing to that area which promotes faster healing.

Your doctor may have suggested salts or baking soda to be mixed with the water in your at home sitz bath.
Be sure to follow his or her instructions on how much solution to add to the water as well as how often to take sitz baths at home. This will usually be anywhere from 3 to 7 times per day.

To begin, there are several products available that are cost effective (from $10 to $20) that can aid in the ease and ease of clean up for your sitz baths. From plastic to soft inflatable bowls that either rest on a chair or fit directly into the toilet seat, these products prevent patients from having to fill the tub with enough water to cover the affected area up to seven times daily. Choosing to use the portable sitz bath can make life simpler during this time. Often, patients leaving hospitals can ask their nurse for a plastic bowl type sitz bath to take home, however, it may be wise to check if it will be charged to the hospital bill or if it will be complimentary.

Setting Up Your Sitz Bath

If you have a portable sitz bath tub, follow the instructions that the manufacturer included for the proper fill height and if your portable sitz bath fits into the toilet seat, be sure it is installed properly. This is usually as easy as setting it on the seat.

Many portable sitz baths at home will have vented areas that prevent them from spilling over by allowing the water to drizzle out of the vents and into the toilet. If your particular model does not include venting, be sure you don’t overfill it as it will cause you distress should it spill over and a sitz bath at home should be a relaxing experience.

If you do not have a portable sitz bath, then you can simply fill the bathtub with about 3 or 4 inches of water – the temperature of the water should be what ever your doctor recommended. Normally it’s warm water but for some conditions such as episiotomies, many women may find that cool water feels better and offers more pain relief. Please, give your doctor a call if you are unsure of the proper water temperature.

Once the sitz bath is filled to the appropriate height and the recommended water temperature has been reached (sometimes ice must be added if your doctor suggests it) you’re ready to begin.

Add any solution your doctor has recommended and mix the water with your hand.

Carefully sit in the tub or on the toilet with your portable sitz bath.

Be sure the water is covering the affected area.

Relax in your at home sitz bath as directed by your doctor which is usually anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.

Try to keep yourself calm and focus on healing. The mind is a very powerful thing – keep it positive and keep yourself relaxed.
When exiting your sitz bath, be sure to get up slowly. The dilation of the blood vessels from the warm water may cause you to feel lightheaded and dizzy. This is temporary but caution should be exercised when standing and leaving the tub, so don’t stand up too quickly.
When drying the area, pat, don’t wipe. If possible allow the area to air dry.
Follow any instructions your doctor gave you regarding cream or powder applications.
Rinse portable sitz bath and turn upside down in the sink or tub to dry or dry with a towel – or empty and rinse the bathtub.

Repeat the above for the recommended amount of times your doctor has prescribed.
Sitz baths at home will aid your body in healing itself and bring you much needed relief from discomfort.