Once considered a novelty in American bathrooms, bidets are gaining adoption as people seek a hygienic and, in some cases, more skin-friendly alternative to toilet paper. Doctors say the devices are used for a range of reasons, including hemorrhoids, recovery after surgery, and limited mobility, while also emphasizing that technique and maintenance determine whether a bidet helps or causes irritation.
The medical guidance arrives as public attention has grown as well. The Associated Press reported that Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s new mayor, said he hoped to have bidets installed in the bathrooms of Gracie Mansion, the 18th century Manhattan home that serves as the city’s official residence.
Physicians describe several bidet options, including standalone fixtures, toilet-seat attachments, and handheld devices, and note that newer “smart” toilets may include heated seats, adjustable water pressure, and air dryers. The same report also points to videos online showing DIY versions made from household items, while doctors caution that correct use is essential to keep the hygiene benefits while reducing the risk of discomfort.
For technique, Dr. David Rivadeneira, a colorectal surgeon with Huntington Hospital in Huntington, New York, told the Associated Press that users should turn on the faucet while facing the controls so the washing is done from front to back, especially for women. He said the position helps prevent transfer of bacteria from the anal area to the urethra, and he advised that warm water at low pressure for up to a few minutes is typically appropriate, while avoiding extreme temperatures. Rivadeneira also cautioned patients not to inject water into the anus, saying bidets are not meant for internal use and that they should not substitute for a colonic or an enema. After washing, experts said people should pat dry with toilet paper or a dedicated cotton towel to remove remaining stool and help prevent yeast infections.
Rivadeneira’s advice also includes limiting how often a bidet is used. Doctors told the Associated Press that bidets can be used every day but are most appropriate after a bowel movement, and that overuse may cause skin irritation. Other clinicians emphasized cleaning habits: Dr. Neal H. Patel, a family physician with Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California, said users should wipe down the nozzle every week or two with disinfectant wipes to remove bacteria.
Some clinicians also cited potential benefits beyond hygiene. Dr. Danielle Antosh, a urogynecologist in Houston, said some studies have suggested bidets leave less bacteria on a user’s hand than toilet paper, but that the research remains too limited to know for sure. Other doctors said the gentle water stream can be less harsh on sensitive skin than toilet paper; Dr. George Ellis, a urologist in Orlando, Florida, said toilet paper’s texture can cause irritation and itching, while a gentle bidet stream can be less abrasive and healthier for skin.
Doctors said bidets may be relevant for people dealing with chronic diarrhea or other conditions that require frequent wiping, and for those prone to urinary tract infections. They also said bidets may help relieve discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas, and anal fissures. In addition, three dermatologists at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center wrote in a 2023 editorial in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology that clinicians should be comfortable recommending bidets because skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis can occur in the perianal region, and because bidets can help people with physical limitations clean themselves independently, potentially reducing the workload of caregivers.
Even so, the guidance stresses that bidets are not one-size-fits-all. In Japan, some doctors have advised stopping bidet use for patients who reported rashes or difficulty controlling their bowels after frequent cleansing until the condition clears up. Antosh recommended checking with a doctor before using a high-pressure bidet right after childbirth or if a person has genital ulcers, and Dr. Jenna Queller, a dermatologist and founder of DermWorks in Boca Raton, Florida, said the same is true for people with genital eczema or psoriasis. Queller also advised moisturizing the areas after using a bidet to prevent irritation, and Rivadeneira said people should consult a doctor if they have persistent bleeding from fissures or hemorrhoids because a more serious condition could be involved.
The report also addressed environmental considerations. Bidets are generally recognized by many environmental groups as greener than toilet paper, and the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a recent report that the devices “significantly cut down on the use of toilet paper, helping to lessen the environmental impacts associated with tissue production.” At the same time, Gary Bull, a professor emeritus of forestry at the University of British Columbia, told the Associated Press that determining the overall environmental impact requires calculating carbon emitted and energy used across production and through a product’s life cycle, noting that fancier bidets use electricity to heat the water and seat. Andrea Hicks, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin, suggested people consider whether they live in a “water-stressed” state, saying toilet paper may be more sustainable in places like Arizona while bidets may make more sense where water is abundant.
The Associated Press story was first published Feb. 1, 2026, and updated Feb. 2, 2026, to correct the first name of New York City’s new mayor to Zohran, not Zorhan.