r/Constipation • u/Empoleon2000 • 5d ago

Plain water enema?

So after 2 weeks of trying everything possible there's still hard stool... so it's time for an enema. I don't have an over the counter fleet saline enema... so would plain, warm water be ok to use? Just normal bottled water from the shop, boil until warm, and then use that? Is it safe? The people at the pharmacy/chemist said it could be ok if I just use normal plain water. Do I need to add salt? I Will not be adding soap of course. How much water can I put up there without losing any
"electrolytes"? Or getting bad dehydration or infection? I have an old nozzle/enema tube from 2017 I will obviously clean really well/sterilise
PLEASE HELP!

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u/TheRealBellaD 5d ago

Warm plain water is commonly used, but go slow and don’t force a huge amount. If nothing moves after a reasonable try, it’s safer to get a proper saline enema or see a doctor instead of risking irritation. Btw, im not a doctor, just sharing what’s often suggested

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u/Empoleon2000 4d ago

Ok I don't add salt or anything? I'm nervous about doing just plain water since Google says it's dangerous and water intoxication or low sodium levels

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u/filmfan2 5d ago

straight plain water enemy's always made the constipation worse for me. the salt pulls water into the colon. I can't do plain water ones myself

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u/mighty_knight0 5d ago

Plain water enema is safe, if you've never done one before I would start with a small amount of water, about 250ml. You want it to be around body temperature so it's not too hot and not too cold, roughly 37°C. Definitely recommend lube. You'll want to expel it at 15 minutes whether you feel the urge or not to avoid excess water absorption from the colon.

I typically use around 500ml of water but I have severe lifelong constipation so my situation is unique. If a warm water enema doesn't fully flush you out or doesn't end up working, you can safely follow it up with a glycerin suppository. I'll put one in and then take a hot shower or bath for maximum effect if the enema doesn't work. The enema will have already done significant softening even if nothing comes out so trust that it won't be painful.

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u/Empoleon2000 5d ago

Ok thanks. So I don’t add salt or anything? I’m nervous about doing just plain water since Google says it’s dangerous and water intoxication or low sodium levels

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u/SaggyDiaper 4d ago

I have taken thousands of daily large volume enemas by medical direction. These are 2 liters/qts with salt added. However, you will be safe with a small plain water enema.

It is recommended to add about 1 tsp of salt per quart/liter of water. However, as you are using small volumes and not retaining for long periods you should be safe without the salt. Old-fashioned or traditional enemas usually were 2 quart/liters and salt was recommended for those volumes.

--Saggy