Let's be real for a second. Most people don’t walk into a doctor’s office and strike up a casual conversation about their bathroom habits, especially when those habits involve a showerhead up the ass. It’s one of those things that stays behind the shower curtain. You might think you’re just being thorough with your hygiene or maybe you're exploring some "DIY" internal cleansing. But here is the thing: your body isn't built for high-pressure plumbing fixtures.
It happens more often than you’d think. ER doctors have seen it all. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine often touches on the complications arising from non-medical rectal insertions, and the results aren't pretty. People use the showerhead for a makeshift enema—sometimes called "booty bumping" in certain circles—or for sexual stimulation. While it seems convenient since you’re already in there with the warm water running, you are basically playing Russian roulette with your colon.
The anatomy of the rectum is surprisingly delicate. While the external skin is tough, the internal mucosal lining is thin. Very thin. It’s designed to absorb water and electrolytes, not to withstand the literal pounds per square inch (PSI) of a modern rainfall showerhead or a concentrated massage jet.
The hidden mechanics of rectal trauma
When you direct a showerhead up the ass, you aren't just getting "clean." You're introducing a pressurized stream of water into a pressurized system. Most home water systems run between 40 and 60 PSI. That might feel great on your sore shoulders, but inside the rectum? It's a disaster.
The biggest risk is something called barotrauma. This is physical tissue damage caused by a change in pressure. If that water gets trapped or enters too quickly, it can cause a "blowout" or a perforation. A perforated bowel is a surgical emergency. Period. If fecal matter leaks into your abdominal cavity, you’re looking at sepsis. It’s fast, it’s painful, and it can be fatal if you don’t get to a surgeon immediately. Honestly, the convenience of a shower enema isn't worth a colostomy bag.
👉 See also: How do you play with your boobs? A Guide to Self-Touch and Sensitivity
Then there is the temperature. Your internal organs are much more sensitive to heat than your hands or back. You might think the water is "just warm," but "just warm" can scald internal tissue. This leads to inflammation and scarring. Over time, repeated "cleaning" this way can actually damage the nerves that tell you when you need to go to the bathroom. You could end up with chronic incontinence or, conversely, a complete inability to pass stool without help.
Water quality and the microbiome
We talk a lot about gut health and probiotics these days. We eat yogurt and take supplements to keep our "good bacteria" happy. Then, some people go and blast the whole ecosystem away with tap water.
Tap water is not sterile. It contains chlorine, minerals, and sometimes trace amounts of bacteria that are perfectly safe to drink because your stomach acid kills them. Your rectum doesn't have stomach acid. When you force tap water up there, you're washing away the protective mucus layer and the microbiome that keeps your colon healthy. This leaves you wide open to infections.
What the medical experts say
Dr. Evan Goldstein, a prominent anal surgeon and founder of Bespoke Surgical, has spoken at length about the dangers of "douching" with high-pressure systems. He notes that the "clean" feeling people chase is often an illusion. You’re actually causing micro-tears (fissures). These tiny cuts are entry points for STIs and other pathogens.
✨ Don't miss: How Do You Know You Have High Cortisol? The Signs Your Body Is Actually Sending You
If you’re doing this for prep before sex, you’re actually making yourself more vulnerable. A 2010 study by the International Microbicides Conference found that rectal douching significantly increased the risk of HIV transmission because of this exact tissue degradation.
- Fissures: Small tears in the lining that bleed and sting.
- Abscesses: If a tear gets infected, pus builds up. You’ll need a drain. It’s as bad as it sounds.
- Perforation: The "big one." A hole in the gut.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: Doing this too often can actually pull salts out of your body, leading to cramping or heart palpitations.
Better ways to handle hygiene
If you’re obsessed with being clean, there are safer ways. Buy a bidet. Seriously. A bidet is designed to spray the outside (the perianal area). It uses a controlled, lower-pressure stream that doesn't involve sticking anything inside you.
If you feel like you need an internal cleanse, use a dedicated bulb syringe or a fleet enema—but even then, do it sparingly. The body is self-cleaning. Your colon knows what it's doing. If you have chronic constipation, the answer isn't a showerhead up the ass; it's more fiber, better hydration, and maybe a chat with a gastroenterologist.
Psychologically, some people develop a "cleanliness OCD" regarding their bowels. This can lead to a cycle where they feel "dirty" unless they've blasted their insides. If you find yourself unable to have a bowel movement or feel "ready" for the day without using the showerhead this way, it might be time to look at the psychological side of the habit.
🔗 Read more: High Protein Vegan Breakfasts: Why Most People Fail and How to Actually Get It Right
Actionable steps for recovery and safety
If you’ve been doing this and you’re starting to notice blood or persistent pain, stop immediately. Your body needs time to heal.
- Stop the high-pressure habit. Switch to a gentle external wash only. No internal "power washing."
- Hydrate from the inside out. Drink more water so your stool is naturally softer and easier to pass without "assistance."
- Monitor for red flags. If you have a fever, intense abdominal pain, or bright red blood that doesn't stop, go to the ER. Don't be embarrassed. They've seen it.
- Use appropriate tools. If you must cleanse for medical or personal reasons, use a BPA-free, medical-grade silicone bulb. Use lukewarm, distilled water—never hot tap water.
- Lubricate everything. If you are inserting anything, use a high-quality, water-based lubricant to prevent those micro-tears we talked about.
The bottom line is that your shower is for your skin. Your colon is a complex, delicate organ that manages its own environment quite well. Respect the plumbing—both the house's and your own. Taking a step back from extreme DIY "cleaning" is the best thing you can do for your long-term colorectal health.
Focus on increasing your intake of soluble fiber, like psyllium husk, which helps sweep the colon naturally and effectively without the risk of physical trauma. If the urge to use the showerhead persists due to discomfort or a feeling of "fullness," schedule a consultation with a specialist to rule out underlying issues like internal hemorrhoids or pelvic floor dysfunction.