4 Ways to Make a Sitz Bath

1. Use a Sitz Bath for Relief of Pain in the Pelvic Area

Sitz baths are often used for pain relief of hemorrhoids, although they can be used for relief from vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, menstrual cramps and generally most conditions involving a painful pelvic or anal area.

2. Use Your Tub or a Store-Bought Bath

Sitz baths are essentially the concept of a bath just for the pelvic area. In other words, the rest of your body can remain dry. The point is to allow the inflamed pelvic area to soak in warm to hot water. It's possible to purchase a sitz bath bowl at your local well-stocked pharmacy, or you can simply fill your bathtub with the few inches of water necessary. If you use your own tub, you may want to sit on a "donut" or a pillow with a hole in the middle, which allows you to take pressure off the area while you soak. These donut pillows are usually available at most pharmacies.

3. Plan a Different Solution for a Vaginal Yeast Infection

Most conditions respond well to a sitz bath of warm water, but a vaginal yeast infection can be ameliorated with the addition of saline, or salt, and vinegar. Usually 1/2 cup of each added to several inches of warm water in a small sitz tub or a regular bathtub works best.

4. Plan for Two to Three Sitz Baths a Day for Real Relief

When trying to reduce swelling from hemorrhoids and other inflammatory conditions, plan on sitting in the sitz bath for 15 minutes twice (preferably three) times a day. Again, for hemorrhoids, a bowel movement can inflame the area all over, so it's often recommended to add a sitz bath to your regimen after each bowel movement. The warm water allows for immediate pain relief and a return of even blood circulation to the area.