Why Take a Sitz Bath?

Written by Amy Capetta
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on May 31, 2026

A sitz bath is when you sit in warm water to cleanse or ease pain around your bottom or private parts.

Your doctor might suggest one if you have hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, or if you’ve just had a baby. You can easily draw one in your own bathtub. The word sitz comes from the German word “sitzen,” which means “to sit.”

Soaking in water at a mild temperature can speed up the healing process by boosting blood flow. It won’t cure your condition but may soothe irritation.

A sitz bath is typically used as a home treatment for:

  • An anal fissure, or a small tear in the skin lining the opening of the anus
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Prostatitis, a condition that affects the prostate gland 
  • Vaginal delivery recovery
  • Recovery after a surgery involving your anus or vaginal area 
  • A Bartholin cyst, which forms on the outside of your vagina

A sitz bath can offer relief from soreness, itching, burning, and inflammation, but you may need other treatments as well.

A pediatrician may suggest a sitz bath for a child with uncomfortable bowel movements, a skin reaction, or an injury in the genital area.

There are a couple of ways to take a sitz bath. You can take one in your bathtub, or you can buy a basin that lets you take a sitz bath while sitting on the toilet. Some basins come in kits that help keep the water at a steady temperature.

Whichever type you use, the water should be lukewarm and comfortable to the touch. You’ll soak up to three times a day for 10-20 minutes. Depending on your condition, a doctor may suggest more.

If you’re making a sitz bath in your tub:

  • Fill the bathtub with about 3-4 inches of warm water.
  • Soak in the tub for up to 20 minutes, making sure your private area is covered with water. Add more water as needed to keep it warm.
  • Don’t add shower gel, bubble bath, or any type of soap.
  • Don’t scrub or rub the area.

Afterward, gently pat yourself dry using a soft towel. You can also dry off by using a hair dryer on a cool or low, warm setting. Then, clean the tub and wash your hands.

Sitz bath kit

Drugstores and online merchants sell sitz bath kits that include a plastic bag with a tube attached, which dispenses water into the basin. To use one:

  1. Clean the basin well.
  2. Fill the plastic bag with warm water.
  3. Put the basin on the toilet bowl, then put down the seat.
  4. Sit in the basin, then use the tube to fill it with enough water to cover the area.
  5. As the water cools down, add more from the bag.
  6. When you’re finished, clean and dry the basin and wash your hands.

If you’re using a basin that doesn’t include a water supply, simply pour warm water into it before you sit on the toilet.

Here are some pros and cons of taking a sitz bath to keep in mind.

Pros

Cons

Taking a sitz bath is a noninvasive treatment.You could get an infection (but this is very rare and not likely).
It can ease pain and itchiness. 
Sitz baths are free if you use your own tub. 

Sitz baths are generally safe, with little risk of complications. But scrubbing the anal or perineal area (the space between your bottom and your genitals) during a sitz bath could irritate it. Adding bath salts, bubble bath, or soap to your sitz bath might lead to minor inflammation. 

It’s rare, but there’s a chance that you could get an infection in your perineal area after taking a sitz bath. This might happen if:

  • You’ve recently had surgery.
  • You take a sitz bath in a dirty tub or basin.
  • Someone else also uses your sitz bath basin.

If you notice redness or swelling, call your doctor right away and stop taking sitz baths.

 

Here are some commonly asked questions about sitz baths. 

Can a sitz bath remove piles?

A sitz bath can’t cure piles (also called hemorrhoids). But it can speed up healing and ease swelling, itchiness, and pain.

Is an Epsom salt bath the same as a sitz bath?

No, an Epsom salt bath is different from a sitz bath. An Epsom salt bath uses Epsom salt in the bathwater to ease muscle tension and other aches and pains. On the other hand, you don’t need Epsom salt to draw a sitz bath.

When should you not take a sitz bath?

Don’t take a sitz bath if your bathtub isn’t clean or you don’t have a clean tub to use. Call your doctor if you have a fever, new symptoms, or symptoms that get worse.

Can you sit in a sitz bath for too long?

Yes. Don’t sit in a sitz bath for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Add WebMD as a Preferred Source to see more of our trusted content across Google Search, AI Overviews, and AI Mode