Anal Douching
We can talk about penises and balls but we can’t talk about anal cleanliness without getting a bit bashful.
The fact is, it can be necessary before any kind of anal play. So what is douching? Is it safe?
Hopefully this blog will educate, inspire and encourage more people to talk about it. So make sure that you’re relaxed and come with me…
We all know that the anus is where humans poo from and whilst there are some people who don’t mind that – for the most of us, poo and sex don’t mix. This is understandable, but accidents can and will happen – the most important thing is to move on. It will have happened to most people at some point, and sometimes things are just out of your control!
What is a douche?
A douche is a device used to introduce a stream of water into the body, usually vaginally or anally. It can be used for either medical or hygiene reasons.
Bulb Douche – The most common type of Douche, and probably the cheapest and easiest to use. They are normally 2-piece kits – a squeezable bulb (usually made from rubber or silicone) into which you insert a nozzle. You fill the bulb with warm water and then insert into the anus, and squeeze the bulb to allow the water to enter. These are typically used for a shallower cleanse (although you can get some bulb douches with a larger nozzle to go a bit deeper).
Shower Douche – A shower douche will typically be a kit that will allow you to connect it to your existing shower. Some can be permanently attached, others can be attached when you need to. The good thing about these sorts of Douches, is that you get a consistent flow rate and you can get a deeper clean, because you have more pressure coming out. Of course, this does mean that you need to be careful when using one try using a product that allows you to adjust the pressure. If you are someone who regularly enjoys some deeper anal play (so fisting or extra-large dildos) it is probably better to use this method. With a bit of practice, they can be easy to use, but cleaning them can be a bit of a pain, as they are usually in smaller pieces, and trying to clean the hoses can be a bit of a nuisance – but they will leave you feeling much cleaner and confident. When you are using something like this, again, you will want to ensure that the water temperature is ‘warm’ – and be very careful using something like this, if you are in an area where water pressure can be a bit… unpredictable! Needless to say, you use too high a pressure, you are going to cause yourself a lot of pain. So do please, be careful.
Water Bag Douches – These essentially combine the best bits of the bulb and shower douche. The basic concept is a bag (or sometimes a hot water bottle) that is filled with water and then held high on a hook, there is a long tube attached to the bag, which then has the Nozzle. They will almost always come with an adapter to help adjust the flow of water, and as these aren’t permanently hooked up to the shower, this means it can easily be folded away and taken with you, meaning you can indulge in anal play whenever and wherever you are. Bear in mind that you may have to replace the bag at some point, which can make these a costly investment in the long run, but the portability and ease of use is probably a fair trade off.
Ok, so how do I do it?
Well obviously it all depends on what Douche you are using.
Step 1: Make sure that when you start douching, you are within easy reach of the toilet! This is important for obvious reasons.
Step 2: Thoroughly rinse the Douche before you use to ensure it’s clean.
Step 3: Ensure the water you use is mildly warm – you don’t want it too hot, otherwise you will do some
serious damage – and you don’t want it too cold as well, that will be a shock, will feel very unpleasant and could also do some damage. Make sure it is JUST WATER – no soap or any other cleansing products, unless you want to cause yourself lots of pain and irritation.
Step 4: Ensure that the nozzle to be inserted (and yourself) are well lubricated before insertion.
Step 5: You’ll want to insert the nozzle maybe 2/3 inches inside. You generally only need to cleanse the lowest part for anal play. Gently squeeze the bulb to allow the water to come inside. DO NOT LET GO OF THE BULB until you have removed it from yourself – otherwise you will suffer ‘suck back’ – all that water will get sucked back inside the douche if you let go whilst it’s inside – and nobody wants that!
Step 6: You’ll start to feel ‘full’ and almost like you need to go to the loo – quickly (but carefully) hop over to the toilet, sit down and expel. Once you have expelled all the water, flush and then go again. You may want to check how clean the water is, so by flushing, you can see the difference.
Step 7: Repeat the steps as necessary (basically, until the water you expel is running clear, this can take between 2 to 3 expulsions. You will also want to maybe wait between 30 mins to an hour after douching before engaging in anal play.
Important things to remember
DON’T put too much water in one go – this could have the opposite effect you are looking for.
DO remember to use warmish water, and to re-lube with each insertion.
DON’T use anything other than water, otherwise you could cause some serious damage, and try having to explain it at A&E!!
Douching is OK, as long as it’s done in moderation, and you take the time to do it properly. Like most things, douching is a personal choice, and everyone will have their own way of doing it. I hope this has been helpful and useful.
Kash Kahn – Sexual Health Outreach Worker, Birmingham LGBT
