This article answers why it is that bidets feel so good. I.e. why so many bidet users report the unexpected (yet so very welcome) side effect of pleasurable sensations when using their bidet.
While a lot of questions addressed on this site come from the uninitiated, this one usually comes from those who have used a bidet at some point.
Some have had the pleasure of using a friends’ bidet and are thinking of purchasing their own. Others have already taken the plunge purchasing one and want to know why it is that the new high-tech toilet (or standalone bidet) feels so good.
In some cases, it’s pure curiosity, but I’d imagine in some cases, users are wondering if it’s normal.
Bidets feel good because they stimulate the frontal and anal regions. The anus is innervated with specialized nerve endings that sense everything from touch and temperature to changes in pressure and tension (1). Some nerves that supply the anal sphincter branch out to supply the genitalia (2).
What we’ll do here is go over why bidets feel good in more detail and then cover some of the advantages that what we’ll call “bidet play” can over other stimulating activities.
Why Do Bidets Feel Good?
Some claim to use bidets specifically for sexual pleasure. I’m not aware of any studies that look at the effect of bidets in helping one achieve climax.
But anything that imparts a light massaging effect can be arousing if used to stimulate erogenous zones. With the right settings and a little experimentation, a bidet can make a nice addition to anyone’s adult toy arsenal.
Bidets Stimulate Nerve Endings
I’ll try to avoid technical jargon as much as possible.
A nerve ending is a point on the body that senses some sort of sensation (pressure or temperature) that then sends feel-good signals (or pain signals) to the brain.
Anytime there are a lot of nerve endings concentrated in a certain area, the zone can be a source of pleasure.
Any area of the body with a heavy concentration of nerve endings could be considered erogenous, sometimes it depends on the context.
For example, the scalp is rich in nerve endings, which is why those head tinglers feel so good.
But, I doubt many who enjoy these devices consider a good scalp massage session as sexy time.
However, a lot of people enjoy having their hair pulled which stimulates nerves in the scalp.
And, sure enough, hair pulling is considered an erogenous activity. Note, there may be psychological reasons that contribute to this as well.
So, the anal region has a pretty high concentration of nerve endings and can be an erogenous zone, which is what makes anal intercourse pleasurable for some if performed properly.
Above, it was mentioned that some nerves in the anal region branch out to the genital area. Namely, the pudendal nerve branches to supply the external anal sphincter and the dorsal nerves of the penis and vagina.
The nerve endings in this area respond to light touch sensation (Meissner’s corpuscles), temperature (Krause end-bulbs), and changes in pressure and tension (Golgi-Mazzoni bodies and Pacinian corpuscles).
Modern bidets can hit each one of these pleasure pathways.
And all bidet models, even the most primitive ones, allow for some way to control pressure.
- Newer high-tech toilets and attachments. These have a control arm or remote control that can regulate water pressure and temperature. Most have fancy spray patterns that pulse and oscillate. The spray patterns are meant to clean better but have the added benefit of providing the best massage.
- The standalone European-style bidets. These use a faucet—they may be a little less effective because the angle of the water flow might not provide the best stimulation. But French bidets, another type of traditional standalone bidet, have water jets that can shoot water to the desired area.
- Handheld bidets or “bum guns”. You control the pressure on this kind by how hard you press down on the trigger—they’re like the handheld sprayers used to wash dishes.
As for stimulation with warm water, most bidets allow for temperature control—even the old-style standalone bidets do. They use traditional faucets like the ones in your sink.
This brings us to the next point.
Warm Water Increases Blood Flow
For those with electric units, bidets clean with warm water. Some non-electric bidets can provide warm water too.
There are certain nerves that sense temperature in a way that can result in pleasure.
But, warm water can increase sexual pleasure by upping the blood flow to erogenous zones.
There are likely several reasons why heat affects blood flow and increased NO production (that’s nitric oxide) is thought to play a role (3).
In fact, there are herbal supplements marketed as aphrodisiacs—though they don’t actually affect libido—just because they increase blood flow to the genitals (4,5).
Erectile dysfunction in men is often attributed to the early stages of cardiovascular disease. Basically, there’s so much plaque built up in the arteries that it lessens blood flow to the penis preventing an erection and sensitivity (6).
Obviously, we’re talking about a different region here, but the principle is the same: anything that increases blood flow to erogenous zones can help boost sexual pleasure.
Bidet Play: Pleasure Without the Risk?
Depending on where you live and whether a filter is used, bidet water is usually clean. I.e., it’s usually as clean as drinking water.
Most forms of anal play (anal sex, oral stimulation, etc) are considered relatively high risk, as tissue in the area is easily torn compared to other tissues.
For this reason, you’re running a higher risk of transmitting infections, and there’s a higher risk of contamination from bacteria in the rectum (2).
Stimulation of the bidet would be more like that of oral stimulation or anilingus. Both bidet use and anilingus offer stimulation without the excessive pressure and risk of tearing you get with penetration via intercourse or larger objects.
But, using a bidet is yet safer, because it doesn’t involve the risk of infection associated with oral sex.
Obviously, there are measures you can take with oral like using a dental dam.
But, bidets with temperature and pressure control can double as a sex toy by providing low-risk stimulation to anal nerves.
Conclusion
That should do it for now.
It may not be worth purchasing a bidet just for this reason, but I’d imagine there are more expensive sex toys on the market.
However, if you’re thinking of getting a bidet, you can consider this feature a nice little bonus. Just make sure to purchase one with temperature and pressure controls.
While standalone bidets can do the trick, it’s probably better to opt for modern seats, attachments, and toilet/bidet combos as they offer a smaller jet stream, which usually provides a more concentrated stimulation to the nerve endings.
Thanks for reading.