The Beauty of the Bidet

When walking into an Italian bathroom, one cannot help but notice the two toilets or the seat for your bathroom buddy. After talking with Italians, you learn that this is known as a bidet, and is widely approved. The bidet is used throughout the day to freshen up after using the restroom. This act is warded off as a part of European culture until you begin to consider the health benefits. Just stop and think about the amount of times you must wipe over and over until you feel clean enough after going number two in the restroom. I always think that I will never be “fresh out of the shower clean” no matter how much toilet paper I use. This is where the bidet would come in handy! You can wash your buttocks with soap and water after using the restroom and continue your day with a fresh feel between your cheeks. 

Considering our research on women’s health, the bidet can serve a more important role for women. As little girls, we are told by our parents and doctors to wipe from front to back after using the restroom to eliminate the chance of bacteria making its way into our urinary tract (from personal experience, pain from a urinary tract infection is nearly the worst on the planet). To minimize these chances, using the bidet to wash the butt/genitals and rid them of hazardous bacteria is a more effective way to protect the urethra than trying to keep the bacteria flow moving backwards with stroke direction. Ultimately, it is hard to control bacteria placement, and cleanliness never hurt anybody. The bidet can also be instrumental to women when they are on their menstrual cycle. When I’m on my period, I feel gross as soon as I step out of the shower. Many women can relate to feeling uncomfortable and that they stink after a full day on their period. The bidet can be used to clean the vulva during or between product changes to feel more comfortable and confident. It’s simply a hygiene check that we nonchalantly do throughout the day—a reup on perfume, a quick reapplication of deodorant, or a midday brushing of the teeth. It’s a booty wash and it’s important.

This post was written by Jalynn Evans, a junior in the Honors College majoring in Public Health. She is interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration.