Is Colon Cleansing a Good Idea?

Colon cleansing involves flushing out waste from your colon (the large intestine) using fluids. Also called colonic hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation, colon cleansing is sometimes necessary for medical reasons such as preparing you for a diagnostic exam or other procedures. However, it's also often touted as a way to gain certain health benefits, but these personal uses lack scientific backing.

This article explains the benefits and risks of medically necessary and personal colon cleansings. It also compares two common methods of colon cleansing: colonics and enemas.

Uses and Benefits

There are generally two reasons why people use colon cleanses:

• Medical benefits that are backed by scientific research
• Popular uses that are not necessarily supported by science

Medical Uses and Benefits

Medical uses of colon cleansing, and especially an enema, include:

• Treating constipation or an impacted bowel: Colon cleansing is often an effective treatment for constipation/impacted bowel that hasn't responded to other treatments.
• Delivering certain medications to the lower intestine: Colon cleansing gets the drug right where it's needed and is used for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and proctitis.
• Emptying the contents of your colon: Colon cleansing is useful before surgery or diagnostic and screening tests including X-ray, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy.

When you use colon cleansing for these purposes, follow the instructions carefully. Overuse of enemas can interfere with the proper function of your colon and actually make constipation worse.

Popular Uses

In popular use, colon cleansing is purported to have all kinds of benefits, including some related to intestinal health and others having nothing to do with it. So far, none of these claims are backed by scientific evidence and they're refuted by some research. Proponents of colon cleansing say it is beneficial for:

• Clearing waste and "toxins" from the body
• Improving digestion
• Boosting your immune function
• Aiding weight loss
• Improving mood
• Lowering colon cancer risk

Methods

Colonics and enemas are trusted ways for flushing the colon, but you may hear of other methods. Before trying any colon cleansing, discuss the treatment with your healthcare provider.

Colonics vs. Enemas

Enemas involve a one-time infusion of water into the colon. By contrast, colonics involve multiple infusions. What's more, the main objective of an enema is to evacuate the lower colon, while colonics are meant to cleanse a larger portion of the bowel.

Perhaps the single most important distinction is that a colonic typically utilizes specialized equipment administered by a trained hydrotherapist, while an enema can be performed by medical personnel or at home with a do-it-yourself kit purchased over the counter.

Colonics

Colonic irrigation is intended for medically indicated colon cleansing (for example, before a radiological examination). It usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, you lie face up and the hydrotherapist inserts a disposable speculum into your anus.

This speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose, which is in turn connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit. The unit sends warm water into your colon, and the pressure promotes a reflexive contraction of the colon muscles, called peristalsis. This forces waste out of the colon, back through the hose, and into a closed disposal system.

Enema

Often performed in the bathroom, enemas typically involve lying on your back and inserting the enema kit's nozzle several inches into the anus. This nozzle is connected to a tube that leads to a container holding the fluid for the infusion.

Releasing the tube's clamp initiates the flow of fluid into the rectum and stimulates peristalsis. The next step in an enema is to retain the fluid for several minutes, then sit on the toilet to expel it.

Other Types of Cleanses

Colon cleanses come in many forms in addition to colonics and enemas, including:

• Pills: Often containing fiber supplements and other natural laxatives, many pills on the market claim to help cleanse your colon.
• Vitamin C flushes: This involves taking enough Vitamin C that your body can no longer absorb it and it causes severe diarrhea.
• Salt water flushes: Sometimes referred to as the "Master Cleanse," it involves drinking salt water, which has a laxative effect.

Keep in mind, however, that none of these colon cleansing methods are recommended by health authorities and you should always consult with your healthcare provider before doing them.

Risks

Colonics and enemas do carry some potential side effects, risks, and complications.

After a colonic session, you may experience:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• A feeling of fullness or bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sores around the anus

Performing an enema at home can lead to:

• Colon tissue damage or perforation (poking a whole in the intestine)
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Irritation and inflammation of the anus
• Worsened constipation

Risks of colon cleansing, using any method, include:

• Dehydration
• Infection, including with parasites
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Abscesses in the digestive tract
• Bowel tears or perforations
• Sepsis (an infection that can lead to shock, organ failure, and death)
• Acute kidney failure
• Pancreatitis
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Diarrhea

Contraindications

Colonics and enemas aren't safe for everyone. You should avoid them if you have conditions including:

• Severe hemorrhoids
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Ulcerative or ischemic colitis
• Other gastrointestinal diseases, such as diverticular disease or Crohn's disease

You should also avoid these procedures if you're pregnant or have recently had colon surgery.

Summary

Despite the lack of medical evidence, you may hear the supposed benefits of a colon cleanse and think, "What can it hurt to try?" Remember that side effects, risks, and complications are all possibilities, and certain health conditions can make it especially dangerous for you.

Determining whether an enema or colonic is better depends on why you are considering either one. Enemas work on a smaller portion of the intestines (the lower colon) and are best for constipation. Colon cleanses are best for medical procedures that require the entire intestinal tract to be clean. Be sure to follow the directions carefully for an enema or medically approved cleanse.

If you have a health problem and have wondered if a colon cleanse could help, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options that are proven safe and effective by medical science.

A Word From Verywell

There are a variety of methods and reasons to consider a colon cleanse. However, not all of these are medically indicated or appropriate. It's important to discuss these reasons and options with your healthcare provider before taking any sort of colon-cleansing agent.

— JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD