Health Experts Confirm Washing Better Than Wiping

We consider water to be a basic necessity to bathe and clean ourselves. But as far as cleaning our derriere is concerned, we always ask which is the best choice – washing or wiping.

While most doctors feel that wiping is absolutely absurd, we Bangladeshis are gradually moving away from the practice of washing our bottoms, turning towards tissue cleaning.

Research on which a more hygienic process-wiping or drying-is limited, with the latter being supported by specialists.

"Think about using dry toilet paper. You're leaving a residue of stool and bacteria, whereas if you're using a bidet, you’re washing that away," said Dr. Phillip Buffington, the chief medical officer of The Urology Group in the US.

As a consequence, those who shower or use the bidet "are far less likely to have problems with rashes and pain and frustration," Dr. Allen Kamrava, a colorectal and general surgeon located in California, told Healthline.

There’s also the issue of anal tears because not everyone wipes gently with toilet paper. 

Dr. Evan Goldstein, a New York City rectal surgeon, told Business Insider Singapore that tears triggered by excessive brushing are the most severe anus-related injuries.

Those with constipation are vulnerable to such crying, he said, as the pressing brings added pressure on the anus already.

For the vaginal area, washing is also gentler than wiping with dry toilet paper. 

As for women who are concerned about disrupting the bacterial balance in the vagina from using the spray from a bidet, Dr. Buffington said in self that this is unlikely to happen unless “it was some sort of high-powered water jet; theoretically, it could shoot up the urethra or cervix,” he said. In which case, don’t use it.

From the environmental perspective, washing also requires less water than wiping. 

According to a report in Scientific American it requires 140 liters of water to create only one roll of toilet paper. You're supposed to use about 500ml of bidet water, by comparison.