Today we’re looking at whether bidets can or should be used after peeing. It’s a common question. Some want to know if the bidet is actually meant for cleaning up after peeing. Others wonder whether doing the number one really necessitates the extra thorough cleaning offered by bidets.
Bidets can be, and often are, used after peeing. Those who tend to use the bidet after urinating include women, men with certain conditions (e.g. urinary incontinence), and those with physical limitations. For women, bidet use after urinating can replace toilet paper (though drying is still needed).
In this article, we’ll look at the different situations in which bidets are used after urinating.
This is probably TMI, but as a guy, I’ve used the bidet for this purpose from time to time. Handheld bidets and electric models that have a frontal wash capability are often used to cleanse the entire perennial area. Sometimes you just feel like you need that extra thorough cleaning that bidets are known for.
Most of the info in this article applies to women. For similar reading, check out the article on the best bidets for women. In it, we go over which bidets on the market are best for female hygiene and avoiding infection.
Women Use the Bidet after Urinating
Feminine hygiene is one of the main functions of handheld sprayers and modern bidets with a frontal wash feature. Whether urinating or passing a bowel movement, a lot of women cleanse the entire perennial area.
If passing a bowel movement, then a posterior cleanse is performed followed by a frontal cleanse. Most modern electric bidets have a frontal cleanse capability, but you’ll want to check the product description just to make sure.
Both men and women can benefit from this feature. Basically, the wand shoots water straight up from the bottom of the bowl. Or, at least, the angle of spray is such that the water will contact the frontal region.
Not only do most electric bidets have a frontal cleansing capability, but some fancier models have a feminine wash mode as well.
The feminine wash mode capability is usually lacking in entry level models but isn’t limited to the super expensive kind either.
A continuous warm water heater is another useful feature for those looking to use a bidet for both frontal and posterior cleansing. That way if you choose to clean both the frontal and posterior regions in the same session (i.e. after a bowel movement), you’ll have all the warm water you need.
Entry-level electric bidets tend to have heated reservoir-type water heaters that provide a stream of warm water for about 30 seconds.
How to Use the Bidet After Peeing
This will depend on which type of bidet you’re using.
Except for the handheld sprayers, quality electric bidets tend to be the most accurate when it comes to aiming. Unless using a handheld sprayer, a good portion of the aiming when using a bidet is achieved with body positioning.
Standalone bidets – Standalone bidets are the mini wash basins located next to toilets that you’ll find throughout Europe.
After urinating on the toilet, make your way to the bidet and mount the unit facing the faucet and/or nozzles at the rear of the basin. I say “and/or” because vertical spray bidets only have nozzles in this location as they shoot water up from the bottom of the basin.
These provide warm water, so choose a temperature that’s comfortable and run water on the frontal area for at least 30 seconds.
Dry yourself thoroughly with a bidet towel or toilet paper.
Electric bidets (seats and bidet-toilet combos) – When done urinating, use the remote control (or side panel) to select the frontal cleansing mode. Or, if your model has it, choose the feminine wash feature.
Run the water for the length of the cleaning session or until the water starts to run cool.
When done, dry the front area. Depending on the model, the dryer may or may not blow air that reaches the front area. If that’s the case, you can experiment with straddling the toilet backward (facing the tank).
Non-electric bidets (sprayers and attachments) – Attachments go on your existing toilet, but don’t replace the seat. Sprayers are located next to the toilet.
Attachments are less likely to have a frontal cleansing mode when compared to electric seats, but frontal cleaning capability is a fairly common feature.
If using a sprayer, you can rinse yourself manually for a good 30 seconds.
In either case, you’ll need to dry off the frontal area when done.
Are There Risks for Women When Using the Bidet After Urinating?
This is another common question. For a more detailed explanation, check out this article.
By and large, bidets are considered safe for both men and women, but problems can arise when certain precautions aren’t taken.
Potential issues include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTI). You’ll be spraying water directly at the urethra, so make sure to use clean water. If you live in an area where the tap water is thought to be unfit for drinking, you’ll want to get an electric bidet seat as they tend to come with water filters. I know we’re here to talk about urinating, but we should touch on bowel movements too. Women are typically advised to wipe from front to back because they are at higher risk of UTIs compared to men. This is in part because the urethra is shorter, but also because of the proximity of the urethra to the anus. Wiping in the front-to-back direction helps ensure that fecal microbes aren’t spread to the urethra. Likewise, bidets should be used in a way that does not spread contaminated water from the anal region to the urethra. This can be achieved by avoiding excessive water pressure.
- Skin problems and bacterial vaginitis. Chronic wetness can lead to skin rashes and other problems. Microbes need water for growth, and excessive moisture on the skin for prolonged periods of time can provide an ideal environment for infections. Contrary to a popular myth, bidets do not leave you wet all day—at least, when used correctly. Regardless of the bidet you use, you’re supposed to dry sufficiently after. Some folks fail to do this. Most attempt drying, but some are prone to doing little more than dabbing once or twice. Electric bidets provide warm air dryers, which always get the job done. I know mine does. If you use a non-electric bidet, make sure to dry sufficiently with toilet paper or a dedicated bidet towel.
Some authoritative sources will issue a word of caution to women when it comes to using bidets (1) However, so far any connection between bidet use and negative outcomes for women seems to be pretty weak.
For example, an elevated UTI risk was found to be associated with bidet use among women, but it was thought that the link (if it reflects a real causal connection) may have to do with anatomical abnormalities. This is because the risk seemed to be in women whose anus was more proximal to the urethra (2)
One study looked at urogenital issues (UTIs and cystitis) related with bidet use and found no significant link (3).
Another study investigated and failed to show a significant association between bacterial vaginitis and bidet use (4).
As always, consult with your doctor when making decisions regarding your health.
Some Men Use the Bidet After Peeing (Urinary Incontinence)
We’ve talked before about bidet use for constipation, but here we’re talking about urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It’s a common issue that ranges in severity from occasional leaking to full-on urination.
According to the Mayo Clinic, skin issues like rashes, sores, and infections can result from constantly wet skin brought on by urinary incontinence (5).
I’m no physician, so this is not an endorsement for using the bidet to treat health problems.
But, I’ve heard that some folks use bidets for this reason. If a bidet user deals with incontinence, it can be tremendously helpful to have a way to clean off after an unexpected leak.
Taking a shower multiple times a day is usually impractical and wiping down with regular toilet paper is unsanitary and can lead to irritation.
Conclusion
Bidets can play several useful roles in daily hygiene and other areas.
While they were initially invented with bowel movements in mind, the usefulness of the innovation has proven to have tremendous reach.
Folks use bidets for bowel movements, urination, personal pleasure, cleaning up after intercourse, douching, DIY bidet enemas, and even sitz baths.
While the bidet is primarily used for bowel movements, frontal cleansing is probably the second most common use of the technology.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.