Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses and BenefitsMethodsRisksFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses and Benefits
Methods
Risks
FAQ
Colon cleansing involves flushing out waste from your colon (the large intestine) using fluids. Also calledcolonic hydrotherapyor colonic irrigation, colon cleansing is sometimes necessary for medical reasons such as preparing you for a diagnostic exam or other procedures. However, it’s also often touted as a way to gain certain health benefits, but these personal uses lack scientific backing.
This article explains the benefits and risks of medically necessary and personal colon cleansings. It also compares two common methods of colon cleansing:colonicsandenemas.
There are generally two reasons why people use colon cleanses:
Medical Uses and Benefits
Medical uses of colon cleansing, and especially an enema, include:
When you use colon cleansing for these purposes, follow the instructions carefully. Overuse of enemas can interfere with the proper function of your colon and actually make constipation worse.
Popular Uses
Are Colon Cleanses Necessary?Not only are claims regarding cleanses unproven, but healthcare providers say your body already does a good job of clearing out toxins and waste on its own. You also need to keep beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion.After all, entire systems are dedicated to just that, and as long as they’re functioning properly, it’s best to leave the job to them.
Are Colon Cleanses Necessary?
Not only are claims regarding cleanses unproven, but healthcare providers say your body already does a good job of clearing out toxins and waste on its own. You also need to keep beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion.After all, entire systems are dedicated to just that, and as long as they’re functioning properly, it’s best to leave the job to them.
Not only are claims regarding cleanses unproven, but healthcare providers say your body already does a good job of clearing out toxins and waste on its own. You also need to keep beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion.
After all, entire systems are dedicated to just that, and as long as they’re functioning properly, it’s best to leave the job to them.
Colonics and enemas are trusted ways for flushing the colon, but you may hear of other methods. Before trying any colon cleansing, discuss the treatment with your healthcare provider.
Colonics vs. Enemas
Enemas involve a one-time infusion of water into the colon. By contrast, colonics involve multiple infusions. What’s more, the main objective of an enema is to evacuate the lower colon, while colonics are meant to cleanse a larger portion of the bowel.
Colonics
Colonic irrigation is intended for medically indicated colon cleansing (for example, before a radiological examination). It usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, you lie face up and the hydrotherapist inserts a disposable speculum into your anus.
This speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose, which is in turn connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit. The unit sends warm water into your colon, and the pressure promotes a reflexive contraction of the colon muscles, calledperistalsis. This forces waste out of the colon, back through the hose, and into a closed disposal system.
What comes out during a colon cleanse?Water or fluid is used to flush the colon and stool (poop) will come out during a colon cleanse.
What comes out during a colon cleanse?
Water or fluid is used to flush the colon and stool (poop) will come out during a colon cleanse.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Enema
Often performed in the bathroom, enemas typically involve lying on your back and inserting the enema kit’s nozzle several inches into the anus. This nozzle is connected to a tube that leads to a container holding the fluid for the infusion.
Releasing the tube’s clamp initiates the flow of fluid into the rectum and stimulates peristalsis. The next step in an enema is to retain the fluid for several minutes, then sit on the toilet to expel it.
Holding It In
Referred to as “retention enemas,” some treatments involve holding the liquid in the colon for extended periods of time. Several different types of retention enemas exist, including coffee enemas and those involving infusions of red raspberry leaf, probiotics, minerals, and other natural substances.
Other Types of Cleanses
Colon cleanses come in many forms in addition to colonics and enemas, including:
Colonics and enemas do carry some potential side effects, risks, and complications.
After a colonic session, you may experience:
Performing an enema at home can lead to:
Risks of colon cleansing, using any method, include:
Contraindications
Colonics and enemas aren’t safe for everyone. You should avoid them if you have conditions including:
You should also avoid these procedures if you’re pregnant or have recently hadcolon surgery.
What Are the Risks of an Enema?
Summary
Despite the lack of medical evidence, you may hear the supposed benefits of a colon cleanse and think, “What can it hurt to try?” Remember that side effects, risks, and complications are all possibilities, and certain health conditions can make it especially dangerous for you.
Determining whether an enema or colonic is better depends on why you are considering either one. Enemas work on a smaller portion of the intestines (the lower colon) and are best for constipation. Colon cleanses are best for medical procedures that require the entire intestinal tract to be clean. Be sure to follow the directions carefully for an enema or medically approved cleanse.
A Word From VerywellThere are a variety of methods and reasons to consider a colon cleanse. However, not all of these are medically indicated or appropriate. It’s important to discuss these reasons and options with your healthcare provider before taking any sort of colon-cleansing agent.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There are a variety of methods and reasons to consider a colon cleanse. However, not all of these are medically indicated or appropriate. It’s important to discuss these reasons and options with your healthcare provider before taking any sort of colon-cleansing agent.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There are a variety of methods and reasons to consider a colon cleanse. However, not all of these are medically indicated or appropriate. It’s important to discuss these reasons and options with your healthcare provider before taking any sort of colon-cleansing agent.
—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people report little or no discomfort with a colonic, but you may feel movement and fullness, your abdomen may become distended as the fluid is pumped in, and you might feel like you need to use the bathroom.During an enema, you may also feel fullness, but probably less than with a colonic because less liquid is used. You may feel a need to use the bathroom while you hold it in.
Most people report little or no discomfort with a colonic, but you may feel movement and fullness, your abdomen may become distended as the fluid is pumped in, and you might feel like you need to use the bathroom.
During an enema, you may also feel fullness, but probably less than with a colonic because less liquid is used. You may feel a need to use the bathroom while you hold it in.
Cramping is a common side effect of colon cleansing because it can cause peristalsis, which is the involuntary constriction of the muscles in your intestine. The contractions cause a wave-like motion that pushes fecal matter through your digestive tract and out your anus.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Harvard Health ad watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Canadian Society of Intestinal Research: GI Society.Enemas.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Rowasa (masalamine).Yıldar M, Yaman İ, Başbuğ M, Çavdar F, Topfedaisi H, Derici H.A new approach in bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with constipation: A prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded trial.Turk J Surg. 2017;33(1):29-32. doi:10.5152/UCD.2015.3189American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening tests.The Hospital for Sick Children.Enemas: How to give at home.Cedars Sinai.Ask a doc: Are colon cleanses healthy?Keck Medicine of USC.Is colon cleansing dangerous?Niv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable. Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S44417Lehigh Valley Health Network.5 things to know about colonic cleanses.Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists.Colon hydrotherapy FAQ.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Peristalsis.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Harvard Health ad watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Canadian Society of Intestinal Research: GI Society.Enemas.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Rowasa (masalamine).Yıldar M, Yaman İ, Başbuğ M, Çavdar F, Topfedaisi H, Derici H.A new approach in bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with constipation: A prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded trial.Turk J Surg. 2017;33(1):29-32. doi:10.5152/UCD.2015.3189American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening tests.The Hospital for Sick Children.Enemas: How to give at home.Cedars Sinai.Ask a doc: Are colon cleanses healthy?Keck Medicine of USC.Is colon cleansing dangerous?Niv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable. Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S44417Lehigh Valley Health Network.5 things to know about colonic cleanses.Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists.Colon hydrotherapy FAQ.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Peristalsis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Harvard Health ad watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?Canadian Society of Intestinal Research: GI Society.Enemas.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Rowasa (masalamine).Yıldar M, Yaman İ, Başbuğ M, Çavdar F, Topfedaisi H, Derici H.A new approach in bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with constipation: A prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded trial.Turk J Surg. 2017;33(1):29-32. doi:10.5152/UCD.2015.3189American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening tests.The Hospital for Sick Children.Enemas: How to give at home.Cedars Sinai.Ask a doc: Are colon cleanses healthy?Keck Medicine of USC.Is colon cleansing dangerous?Niv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable. Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S44417Lehigh Valley Health Network.5 things to know about colonic cleanses.Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists.Colon hydrotherapy FAQ.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Peristalsis.
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Harvard Health ad watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research: GI Society.Enemas.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Rowasa (masalamine).
Yıldar M, Yaman İ, Başbuğ M, Çavdar F, Topfedaisi H, Derici H.A new approach in bowel preparation before colonoscopy in patients with constipation: A prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded trial.Turk J Surg. 2017;33(1):29-32. doi:10.5152/UCD.2015.3189
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening tests.
The Hospital for Sick Children.Enemas: How to give at home.
Cedars Sinai.Ask a doc: Are colon cleanses healthy?
Keck Medicine of USC.Is colon cleansing dangerous?
Niv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable. Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S44417
Lehigh Valley Health Network.5 things to know about colonic cleanses.
Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists.Colon hydrotherapy FAQ.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Peristalsis.
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