A soap suds enema is a way to treat constipation or fecal impaction (when you’re constipated for a long time). It helps you poop by getting rid of hard, stuck stool in your colon. While many people may have trouble pooping sometimes, a soap suds enema is for more serious types of constipation.
“Soap suds enemas have been around forever, but they’re mainly done in a hospital setting when medical staff quickly want to relieve constipation,” says Kyle Staller, MD, MPH, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
An enema is when a fluid (sometimes mixed with either an irritant or stimulant) is put into your rectum via a tube. This helps flush out any unpassed stool in your colon.
A soap suds enema uses detergent added to water. While you can buy over-the-counter enemas, it’s safest to have a soap suds enema done under medical supervision — in a hospital or at your doctor’s office.
When Is a Soap Suds Enema Used?
There are two main reasons you’d use a soap suds enema: either for serious constipation or for fecal impaction, where a hard mass of poop gets stuck inside your rectum.
Constipation
Most people poop regularly. But exactly how often you poop depends on the person. Some people go several times a day. Others only need to go every few days.
Keep in mind, pooping is supposed to be easy. You should be able to do so without straining or discomfort.
The main symptoms of constipation are:
- Three or fewer times per week
- Small stools that are hard, dry, and difficult or painful to pass
- Straining to poop
- Feeling like you still need to go to the bathroom after you’ve pooped
Constipation is very common. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans will have constipation at some point in their lives.
You can try to treat constipation on your own by eating more fiber (aim for 35 grams a day). You can get more fiber with high-fiber foods or a combination of food and fiber supplements. The next step is a laxative, such as polyethylene glycol or bisacodyl, says Bryan Curtin, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.
If that doesn’t work, your doctor may recommend an enema. The two most common types are saline and mineral oil enemas. “Soap suds are a little more aggressive, as they can cause a chemical irritation to your rectal tissue as part of their mechanism,” Curtin says.
Fecal impaction
Long-term constipation can cause unpassed poop to build up in your colon. It can become a mass you can’t pass with regular bowel contractions. This is called fecal impaction. Its symptoms include:
- Diarrhea (liquid stool) caused by poop that leaks around the impacted mass
- Belly pain
- Nausea and throwing up
- Headache
- Feeling like you always need to poop
- Low appetite
- Weight loss
- Not feeling quite right (malaise)
Without treatment, you may also have:
- Dehydration
- Fast heart rate and breathing
- Fever
- Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
- Agitation or restlessness
- Confusion
You’ll need to go to the doctor for fecal impaction to get rid of the mass of feces in your colon. Your doctor will take a look at your abdomen and do a rectal exam to confirm the impaction. You may also need imaging (such as X-rays) and blood tests to rule out other problems.
Your doctor may need to manually remove a portion of the impacted poop, then give you a soap suds enema to pass the remaining impacted stool.
Is a Soap Suds Enema Safe?
Soap suds enemas are generally safe if you’re otherwise healthy, says Curtin. Soap suds enemas are also safe and effective when given to kids in the emergency room, some research has found.
But there may be situations where you should avoid them, such as if you:
- Have an inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis
- Are bedbound, with limited mobility
- Just had rectal surgery
What Are the Risks of Soap Suds Enemas?
Soap suds enemas have a higher chance of side effects than other enemas. For example, one study found that soap suds enemas had about a 10% risk of side effects (such as belly pain and throwing up) compared to 4% with other types of enemas.
“There’s always a concern that an enema can perforate the colon, especially if it’s inserted with a hard plastic device,” Staller says. But this is much less likely to happen if you have the enema done by a medical professional.
How Do You Make a Soap Suds Enema?
Always check with your doctor before giving yourself a soap suds enema at home, as it may cause side effects.
If your doctor approves, soap suds enemas are easy to make. You’ll need the following items to get started:
- Tap water
- Gentle soap, such as castile soap
- An enema bag with tubing
- A water-soluble lubricant, such as KY jelly
- Towel
You’ll mix about a teaspoon of the gentle soap with a liter of warm water, says Curtin.
How to Do a Soap Suds Enema
If your doctor recommends a soap suds enema, here’s how to do it safely.
Place a towel on the bed or floor under your hips. Lie on your left side, with your right leg bent toward your chest. Then follow these steps:
- Wash your hands well.
- Slide the clamp on the enema bag to pinch it closed.
- Fill the enema bag and tubing with the soap suds solution.
- Take off the protective cap from the end of the tubing.
- Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the tip of the tubing.
- Put the end of the tubing about one finger-length (or about 3 inches) into the rectum.
- Open the tubing by sliding the clamp.
- Raise the bag about a foot above the rectum. Water should slowly pour in until the bag is empty.
Once you’ve given the enema, sit with the solution in your rectum for about 10 minutes, then go to the bathroom. It may take up to an hour for the enema to fully take effect. So, you may want to stay near a toilet during that time.
Giving soap suds enemas to kids
If a pediatrician recommends a soap suds enema for your child, one of the best things you can do is clearly explain the process first. When kids know what to expect, they’re usually less scared and anxious. Tell your child why they’re getting an enema and what it may feel like.
During the enema, it’s a good idea to remind your child to keep breathing. Sometimes, giving them something to do — such as listening to music, watching a TV show, or playing a video game — can distract them during the time it takes to complete the enema. Remember to be patient with them.
What Are the Side Effects of Soap Suds Enemas?
When you have a soap suds enema, you may notice side effects such as:
- Cramping or pain in your abdomen
- Bloating
- Feeling that you need to poop but can’t (sometimes called tenesmus)
- Throwing up
All of these side effects should go away once you poop. But don’t use soap suds enemas long term, as they can lead to dehydration and problems with your electrolytes (minerals that help regulate your body’s fluid balance).
If you’re so constipated that you need to use one, get checked out by a doctor. They can look for conditions that cause serious constipation.
Preventing Future Bowel Problems
Constipation is most often related to diet and lifestyle. Adults need about 25-30 grams of fiber every day to help their bowels work properly. But most Americans only eat half that amount. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of dietary fiber. Adding those to your diet may help with digestion.
Here are some other lifestyle changes that can help prevent constipation.
Fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids can keep stools soft and easier to pass. Drinks count as fluids. Soups, stews, fruit, and some vegetables are also dietary sources of liquids.
Exercise. Regular exercise helps your bowel muscles contract to push stool out. If you’re not active, you’re more likely to get constipated.
Listen to your body. Waiting to poop when you feel the urge can make it harder to go later. Go to the bathroom as soon as you think you need to.
Don’t overuse laxatives. You may become reliant on laxatives if you’ve gotten in the habit of taking them to poop. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about laxative overuse.
Constipation is a side effect of certain prescription medications. If you think you’re struggling to go to the bathroom because of medication, tell your doctor.
Takeaways
A soap suds enema is a way to treat serious constipation or fecal impaction. It helps you poop by flushing out hardened stool in your colon. Soap suds enemas have a higher chance of side effects, such as irritation of your colon, than other types of enemas. Always check with your doctor before you try to do one or have it done by a medical professional. You should be able to poop within an hour of using one, although most people go within 15 minutes.
FAQs About Soap Suds Enemas
Here are some commonly asked questions about soap suds enemas.
What kind of soap should I use for an enema?
You should use a mild soap, such as castile soap, for soap suds enemas.
Are soap suds enemas safe for children?
Yes, soap suds enemas can be safe for children, but always check with a doctor before you give one to a child. Studies show that they’re effective for kids, especially when done in a hospital or an ER.
How much does a soap suds enema kit cost?
You probably won’t find soap suds enema kits in your local drugstore. But you may be able to order one for about $32, according to online sources.
Is it safe to administer a soap suds enema at home?
Always check with your doctor before you do it at home. Follow their instructions to the letter.
