A sitz bath or hip bath is a bath in which a person sits in water up to the hips.
It is used to relieve discomfort and pain in the lower part of the body, for example, due to hemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures, perianal fistulas, rectal surgery, an episiotomy, uterine cramps, inflammatory bowel disease, pilonidal cysts and infections of the bladder, prostate or vagina. It works by keeping the affected area clean and increasing the flow of blood to it.
Benefits of Sitz Bath
- A sitz bath can reduce inflammation, improve hygiene and promote blood flow to the anogenital area.
- Common uses of the sitz bath include keeping the anus clean, reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids, and healing perineal and vaginal lacerations after vaginal childbirth.
- Common reasons to use a sitz bath include: