Wellness Digestive Health What Is an Enema? By Simon Spichak Simon Spichak Simon Spichak finished his MSc at University College Cork, where he studied the interactions between the microbes in the gut and the brain. He became interested in science communication during his studies and won a national competition called FameLab in 2020. Since then, he has been covering stories in science and tech. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 14, 2023 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who serves as vice chair of Ambulatory Services at Lower Manhattan Hospital and professor of medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College. learn more Trending Videos Close this video player An enema is a process where fluids are injected into the rectum to cleanse the colon, stimulate defecation, or administer medication. Either you or a healthcare provider can perform an enema. There are different devices to perform an enema, such as a bottle or bag. The device is manually inserted into your rectum, and its liquid gets released into the rectum. The liquid can be made of different ingredients. Some enemas might release medicine to manage a condition like ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the colon and rectum. Other enemas might release a solution to help relieve constipation. The type of enema, how it’s used, and what liquid ingredients are inside of it depend on why you’re using the enema. Types of Enemas There are two main types of enemas: cleansing and retention. Cleansing enemas stay in the body for just a short time, working quickly to flush out the contents of your colon. They might be used to treat conditions like constipation or to prepare your bowels for a procedure. A retention enema allows for the liquid to stay in your body for longer before you need to make a bowel movement. You would likely use this type of enema when you are taking a medication via enema. This way, the drug has time to make its way into your intestines. What's in an Enema? Enemas can contain different fluids. The liquid solution that should be in your enema is based on what you want the enema to accomplish. The following are the different types of liquid an enema might have and what each liquid does: Sodium phosphate: This is a solution consisting of salt and water that helps pull water into the large intestines. This softens the stool, making it easier to empty the bowels. Someone with occasional constipation might use an enema with this liquid. On packages in stores, the enema is often referred to as a saline enema. Glycerin: Glycerin enemas are sometimes used as an alternative to saline. Glycerin makes the colon absorb water, stimulating muscle contractions in the colon so that you are urged to have a bowel movement. Bisacodyl: Bisacodyl is a type of laxative (a drug that stimulates bowel movements) that might be in some enemas. Minerals: A mineral solution can act as a lubricant in the lower gut, making it easier for stool to pass. Barium: Barium is an element that, when released into your colon, can help in diagnosing certain conditions of the large intestines. The enema solution is used when you are having an X-ray of the colon and rectum to detect diseases like cancer and IBD. Barium helps make the images clearer. With colonoscopies becoming the standard diagnostic tool, though, barium enemas are not used as often anymore. Medication: Sometimes, there might be medication in your enema to treat certain conditions. There are other ingredients you may hear can be used in an enema. Some might not be well-tested for safety and efficacy or might already be considered unsafe. One such enema is a coffee enema. Coffee enemas are often self-administered as a way to clean your colon. However, there is no evidence that they are safe and effective. In fact, a coffee enema is considered a higher-risk procedure that may cause: Infections Tears to the gastrointestinal lining Cramps Bloating Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Dizziness Dehydration Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Because the effectiveness is unclear and there are potential safety risks, researchers have recommended against coffee enemas as part of a self-care routine. Other home-made enemas, such as those made with soapsuds, hydrogen peroxide, and household detergents, can be irritating to your insides and should be avoided too. What Is an Enema Used For? If used correctly, enemas can be safe and effective for treating gastrointestinal conditions in both children and adults. Illustration by Dennis Madamba for Health Enemas may be used for the following reasons: Relieving Constipation Someone with occasional constipation, like when they travel, might use an enema. Sodium phosphate, bisacodyl, glycerin, and mineral oil enemas are all options for relieving constipation from time to time. Treating Fecal Impaction Some people who’ve been constipated for an extended time might develop a large lump of dry, hard stool in their rectum. This condition is known as fecal impaction. Enemas are commonly used to help move the stuck feces. A warm mineral oil enema can soften and lubricate the stool. Then, you massage the lower abdomen to stimulate the movement and excretion of the hardened fecal matter. Delivering Medications Enemas are used to administer medications directly to the gastrointestinal tract for ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is commonly treated with mesalamine. Mesalamine can be prescribed as an oral tablet, a rectal suppository, or an enema. Mesalamine in enema form is best when the inflammation from the ulcerative colitis extends beyond the rectum. Unlike other enemas that cause you to make a bowel movement, the liquid of a mesalamine enema is supposed to stay in for a few hours. People usually perform the enema before bed so the medicine can work in the intestines while you sleep. There has also been research into whether enemas can help deliver treatment for other types of conditions. For example, one study looked into whether an enema containing antibiotics could help someone who’s infected with certain parasites. The results were positive. Preparing for Medical Procedures Some enemas help clear the colon ahead of procedures like colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies (when a healthcare provider uses a camera to look at the lower part of your colon), as well as certain X-rays and surgeries. The enema helps the body remove any waste so that your bowels can be seen better. This can allow the healthcare provider to properly perform surgery or diagnostic testing. With a clear colon for diagnostic tests, the provider can better detect cancer, polyps, and diseases like IBD. These types of enemas are considered a cleansing type of enema and work relatively quickly. Soon after inserting the enema’s liquids into your rectum, you will have the urge to go to the bathroom. How To Use an Enema Sometimes, such as in the case of a barium enema, a healthcare provider might perform an enema for you. Other enemas can be bought over-the-counter and administered at home. Many of the products used to administer the enemas at home are made by the company Fleet. Sometimes, the enema instructions from a healthcare provider might use the brand name Fleet enema when referring to enemas in general. Using a Cleansing Enema Sodium phosphate enemas are a popular type of cleansing enema. Again, they might be used to cleanse your bowels for a medical procedure or to help relieve occasional constipation. Step-By-Step Guide Here is a general guide for using bottled sodium phosphate enemas at home. It is important to check with a healthcare professional or read the instructions provided in the enema box before using an enema:Place a towel or waterproof pad over the area where you will be administering the enema in case you don’t make it to the bathroom in time or accidentally spill the enema solution. Remove the protective cap from the enema tip. Put your body in a position which maximizes the amount of fluid that can flow from the rectum into the colon. This can be lying on your left side with your right knee pulled up to your chest. Or you might find it more comfortable to get into a kneeling position, leaning forward until the left side of your face is resting on the floor and your left arm is folded.Insert the enema slowly and gently into the rectum. It should be inserted at an angle where the tip is pointing to your belly button. As the enema is inserted, move your muscles in a way that it feels like you are having a bowel movement. If you are in pain or find it difficult to insert further, you should stop and call your healthcare provider.Once the tip is inside, gently squeeze the bottle so that the liquid is pushed into your rectum. Your healthcare provider can give you individualized guidance, but typically children aged 2 to 12 only need half a bottle. Adults can use up to an entire bottle. But don’t worry if the whole bottle isn’t emptied—the bottle has more liquid than is needed.Once most of the liquid has entered your body, remove the tip from your rectum. Stay in the position until you have the urge to go to the bathroom. It usually takes one to five minutes for the enema solution to bring on a bowel movement. The bowel movement will release not only your feces, but also the enema solution itself.After you’ve used the enema and gone to the bathroom, throw out the enema and wash your hands. If you don’t have an urge to have bowel movement within 10 minutes after using the enema, try to make yourself go. If there is still no bowel movement, reach out to your healthcare provider. This may indicate a serious problem. Leaving the solution in you for too long can lead to dehydration. It’s recommended that you only perform this type of enema once a day for no more than three days. Using a Retention Enema Instructions for using a retention enema, like when administering mesalamine, differ slightly. For instance, before using your mesalamine enema, you should try to have a bowel movement so that your bowels are empty and the medicine can work better. Before removing your mesalamine enema protective tip, you should shake the enema bottle to mix the medication. The insertion instructions are the same as the above numbered instructions. But the amount of time you stay in the position is longer with a mesalamine enema. You should remain in the position for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Most people will perform the enema at night so that they keep the medication in their intestines for about eight hours as they sleep. How to Make the Enema More Comfortable An enema shouldn't be painful. If you experience pain while inserting the enema, stop and contact a healthcare provider. There are ways you can make the experience more comfortable, though. This includes getting in one of the recommended insertion positions that is easiest for you. To make inserting the enema tip easier, you can also put a small amount of personal lubricant on the applicator’s tip before inserting it. Are Enemas Safe? If used correctly, enemas are typically safe. Some might cause side effects like cramping and bloating. But potentially serious complications can arise if you use an enema incorrectly, too often, or in too large a dose. Incorrect administration may lead to: A hole in your bowel (bowel perforation) Electrolyte imbalances Dehydration Infection If you experience rectal bleeding after performing an enema, you should contact a healthcare provider. You’ll also want to contact a provider if you experience any of these other potentially serious side effects: Increased thirst Dizziness A decrease in urination Vomiting Drowsiness Swollen ankles, feet, or legs You should also avoid unproven treatments like coffee enemas. A Quick Review Enemas are liquid solutions that are delivered through your rectum to treat constipation, cleanse the colon for medical procedures, or deliver medications directly into the gut. There are different types of fluids that can be purchased over-the-counter and administered at home, as well as some procedures that are done in a medical setting. Enemas are common, but there are potentially serious risks to performing one, especially at home. Following your healthcare provider’s instructions or the package’s instructions for how often to use the enema, what the dosage should be, and how to properly use the enema can lessen any risk. You can also make the enema more comfortable by getting in the correct position and using personal lubricant. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 15 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Mesalamine rectal. MedlinePlus. Sodium phosphate rectal. Chu DI, Balsara ZR, Routh JC, Ross SS, Wiener JS. Experience with glycerin for antegrade continence enema in patients with neurogenic bowel. J Urol. 2013;189(2):690–693. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.209 DailyMed. Label: Fleet- bisacodyl enema. DailyMed. Label: Enema mineral oil- mineral oil enema. 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