What is the sitz bath?

Used a lot by our grandparents, the sitz bath is a short tub with a round shape , smaller than the classic bathtub, mobile and with backrest; it is used for partial body bathing , which is done while sitting and immersing only the pelvis in the water.

Made in different materials, such as aluminum, ceramic or majolica, today it has fallen into almost total disuse, but it retains its own niche in the market especially for the elderly , for those who love antiques and want to have one at home as a whim, or who it simply benefits from its use.

In fact, the same term of sitz bath also indicates the bath in this tub, one of the many practical applications of hydrotherapy .

How does the bathroom work in the sitz bath?

The water used in the sitz bath can be still or running and at variable temperatures as needed. It is used to make healthy soaks with essential oils to treat cystitis, hemorrhoids, vaginal or urethral infections.

In addition to treating gynecological or gastrointestinal disorders , the sitz bath is a good habit for those suffering from tired legs, water retention, nasal congestion, insomnia, anal fissures .

In fact, it calms the nerves and relaxes, toning the body, especially the abdomen or buttocks: the sitz baths promote microcirculation , thanks to the alternation of cold and hot baths , they relax the nerve endings, thus exerting a calming effect on nervous hyper-excitability, and finally stimulate muscle relaxation.

The three types of sitz baths

• The cold sitz bath : it consists of immersing the pelvis in cold water, squatting in a basin every evening for about five minutes for one week cycles. To make these sitz baths, you don’t have to be in the digestive phase; it is a technique that causes an increase in the tone of the tissues in that area, genital and pelvic, with a consequent slow improvement of local circulation. It is useful in all edematous diseases of the intestinal system, genital inflammations, such as candida, venous circulation and lower limbs. It has also been shown to be effective in infantile enuresis (bedwetting), nasal congestion, constipation and premature ejaculation. If it is short-lived (about 4 minutes) it is stimulating for the nervous system, while it has a calming effect if prolonged for 10-20 minutes. 

• The hot sitz bath : it is performed like the cold one, but lasts about 10/15 minutes and is useful in gynecological inflammations, cystitis, anal fissures , prostatitis and urethitis.

• The lukewarm sitz bath : it is calming and can be usefully used to reduce congestion and pain in those suffering from hemorrhoids ; the lukewarm sitz bath with running water can also be useful to soothe annoying intimate itches .

You can also take alternating sitz baths of hot and cold water , like the one indicated below, and use essential oils suitable for intimate hygiene, about ten drops per sitz bath, in particular: essential oil of lavender (calming), essential oil of mallow (refreshing and emollient), essential oil of sage (soothing and anti-itch), essential oil of chamomile (protective and soothing), essential oil of carrot (decongestant and invigorating), essential oil of lemon (antiseptic and anti-inflammatory), essential oil of thyme (antimicrobial) essential oil of tea tree or malaleuca (antiseptic and immunostimulating) ; and even the “strongest” essential oils, such as those of bergamot, juniper, myrtle, eucalyptus, myrtle and sandalwood which are ideal for fighting cystitis .

Tips for feminine intimate hygiene

How to make a sitz bath at home

Take a couple of large bowls or bowls; fill one of the two with very cold water and the other with very hot water. Use the hot bath first, staying in the water for 3-4 minutes before switching to the cold bath for 30 seconds.

This step of hot-cold baths can be repeated up to four times. It can also be done by soaking your feet, when you go from one basin to another, in cold water if you are sitting in the hot one and vice versa.

This alternating step can be useful for those who often have swollen ankles or foot infections . It is always recommended to consult your doctor before using a sitz bath, especially in particular health conditions, such as for those suffering from heart disease or hypertension.