Do This Once A Day To Shrink An Enlarged Prostate

If you were assigned male at birth, your chances of being diagnosed with an enlarged prostate are probably much higher than you'd think, especially as you grow older (via MedlinePlus). Men who suffer from this condition may experience urination problems (e.g., difficulty peeing, a weak urine stream, or frequent nighttime urination).

One of the ways to treat an enlarged prostate is by taking a sitz bath, a procedure that takes its name from "sitzen," or "to sit" in German (via Saint Luke's). Taking a sitz bath simply means sitting in a bathtub or bowl with clean, warm water for a set period of time. Doing this is said to increase blood flow in the pelvic region and help the muscles relax, which in turn facilitates recovery and pain relief and helps the prostate shrink. Results of a 2010 study in the Korean Journal of Urology support this: 122 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and were instructed to take a 10-minute sitz bath for five days had "reduced postoperative complications," suggesting that there is merit in further research on the procedure's possible beneficial effects.

There are two ways to do a sitz bath at home, and your choice depends on whether or not you have access to a bathtub that you can use.

If you're going to try the bathtub method, start by filling your bathtub with water that's at a temperature of 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit; set the limit at about 4 inches high. If your healthcare professional advises you to do so, add some medicine or salt to the water. Next, gently position yourself in the bathtub, sitting in the warm water and making sure that your genitals are fully soaked. It's important to ensure that you're comfortable during this process; you may slightly adjust the water's temperature if necessary. There is no need to touch, rub, or scrub your privates, nor should you add any soap or bath mix to the water. You can get up after 20 minutes. After you're done, gently get up and dry yourself with a hair dryer on a low setting or a soft towel.

The other method involves using a clean basin or bowl that you can fit on your toilet bowl, under the toilet seat (so that it gets held in place by the seat). The basic principle remains the same; gradually fill the basin or bowl on your toilet with warm water at a comfortable temperature, then sit on it, soaking your area. Then, wait for enough time to pass before you get up and dry yourself.

Prostate enlargement isn't the only health-related issue that sitz baths can be used to treat. Your doctor may tell you to try a sitz bath if you're suffering from an anal fissure, feeling irritated due to hemorrhoids, or dealing with unbearable period cramps. A sitz bath may also help with your post-surgical care (e.g., after you give birth, undergo surgery involving your perineum or anus, or in any other situation in which cleaning your genitals may prove difficult for you).

In general, sitz baths are safe if done correctly. However, adding soap, bubble baths, or similar products to the warm water may result in irritation or inflammation, which is why doing so is discouraged. With that said, there have been rare cases in which a person who took a sitz bath experienced a perineal infection afterwards. Using a contaminated bathtub or bowl or having recently had a surgical procedure is the common cause of this; it can also happen if you share your sitz bath with someone else. If you experience inflammation, swelling, or redness in the area after your sitz bath, consult a medical professional immediately.