How Do I Give Myself an Enema at Home?

An enema is typically used as part of a detoxification program and it also is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of constipation. The main purpose of an enema is to cleanse your colon and large intestine and to rid your body of excess waste products. An enema is often given in a medical office or hospital by a trained medical professional. However, with the proper tools and technique, you can give yourself an enema at home.

Things You'll Need

• Mild soap
• 1-2 liters warm water
• Container with flexible tube
• Enema nozzle
• Lubricant

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Gather the needed materials to give yourself an enema at home. You will need a mild soap, a liter or two of warm water, a container with a flexible tube attached and an enema nozzle. Make sure the water you use is cooler than 113 degrees Fahrenheit, or you risk scalding your colon.

• 2

  Create your mixture of a few drops of mild soap and water. Use two liters of warm water, but understand that you might use less. Fill the container with the soap and water mixture.

• 3

  Get in position. The position you use depend on your own personal preference. One common positions involves lying on your left side and bringing your right knee up toward your chest. You can also lay on your back with your knees and head propped up. This will allow you to watch your abdomen expand as the water flows into your rectum.

• 4

  Lubricate the enema nozzle and insert it slowly into your rectum. Squeeze the container to allow the liquid to enter your rectum and colon. Start with about the half the water and see how you feel. If you are not feeling an uncomfortable pressure, add a more water, a little at a time. Do not add more than your comfort level.

• 5

  Retain the water in your colon for several minutes. Most people can not do this for longer than five minutes. You will feel pressure from time to time, but it will pass. Do not stand up while retaining the water, as this could cause it to accidentally expel. Rolling from side to side could help relieve the pressure, because it moves the water around the colon.

• 6

  Expel the water. To expel the water from your colon, you will need to remove the enema nozzle. You can either sit on the toiler or get into the bathtub. Sitting on the toilet makes it more difficult to expel all the water, but it is less messy than expelling in the tub. If you are having a hard time expelling, try not to strain, because this can cause hemorrhoids. You may just need to change positions for a few minutes, such as lying on your back or stomach or turn your body, so you are looking back over your shoulder. This should help you expel the water from your colon.