A sitz bath is a shallow warm-water soak that covers just your hips and bottom. You can make one in about two minutes using either your bathtub or an inexpensive plastic basin that fits over your toilet. The warm water increases blood flow to the perineal area, eases muscle spasms, and reduces swelling, which is why it’s a go-to home treatment for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and postpartum soreness.
What You Need
For a bathtub sitz bath, you only need the tub itself and warm water. For a toilet-seat version, you’ll need a sitz bath basin, which is a shallow plastic bowl shaped to rest securely on your toilet rim. These cost around $10 to $20 at most drugstores or online. Some kits come with a plastic bag and tube that lets you add warm water while you’re sitting, so the temperature stays comfortable throughout the soak.
Beyond that, have a clean, soft towel ready for drying off. If you’d rather not pat dry, a hair dryer on a cool or low-warm setting works well. That’s it. No special solutions are required.
How to Make a Sitz Bath in Your Bathtub
Fill the bathtub with about 3 to 4 inches of warm water. You want enough to cover your perineal area when you sit down, but not so much that you’re taking a full bath. The water should feel comfortably warm, not hot. A good test: dip your inner wrist in. If it feels soothing rather than stinging, the temperature is right.
Lower yourself into the tub and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. If the water starts to cool, add more warm water to keep it at a steady temperature. Don’t add bubble bath, shower gel, soap, or any fragranced product. These can irritate already-sensitive tissue and slow healing. Don’t scrub or rub the area while soaking. The point is gentle, passive relief.
When you’re done, stand up slowly (warm water can make you lightheaded) and gently pat yourself dry with a soft towel. Clean the tub afterward and wash your hands.
How to Make a Sitz Bath With a Basin
Start by cleaning the basin thoroughly with soap and water. Place it on the toilet bowl so it sits securely, then put the toilet seat down over the rim of the basin to hold it in place.
If your kit includes a plastic bag with a tube, fill the bag with warm water before you sit down. Once you’re seated, use the tube to fill the basin until the water covers the area you’re treating. As the water cools, release more from the bag. If your basin doesn’t include a water supply bag, simply fill it with warm water before sitting down.
Soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then stand up carefully. Pat dry with a clean towel, clean and dry the basin, and wash your hands. The basin method is often more practical for people who need multiple soaks per day, since it’s quicker to set up and uses far less water than filling a bathtub.
Adding Epsom Salt or Other Ingredients
Plain warm water is effective on its own, and many providers recommend nothing more. If you’d like to add Epsom salt, a common guideline is about 2 tablespoons per gallon of water (or roughly a quarter cup for a shallow bathtub fill). Epsom salt can help further reduce swelling and soothe irritated skin.
Some people add a small amount of witch hazel or baking soda, both of which have mild soothing properties. What you should avoid: soap, body wash, essential oils, bath bombs, or anything with fragrance or dye. These ingredients can sting broken skin and introduce chemicals to areas that are actively healing.
How Often to Do a Sitz Bath
For most conditions, two to three sitz baths per day is a typical recommendation. Many people find it especially helpful to soak right after a bowel movement, when hemorrhoid or fissure pain tends to peak. Each session should last 15 to 20 minutes. Going longer won’t necessarily help more and can leave the skin overly soft and prone to irritation.
There’s no hard time limit on how many days you can continue. Most people use sitz baths until their symptoms resolve, which might be a few days for mild hemorrhoid flare-ups or a few weeks for anal fissures or postpartum healing.
Why Sitz Baths Help Specific Conditions
For hemorrhoids, the warm water reduces swelling and eases the throbbing pain that comes with engorged blood vessels. Sitz baths are also commonly recommended after hemorrhoid removal surgery to manage post-procedure discomfort.
For anal fissures, the benefit is more targeted. A fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus, and the sharp pain you feel during or after a bowel movement comes from muscle spasms triggered by that tear. Warm water relaxes those muscles, which both eases the pain and creates conditions for the fissure to heal over time.
For postpartum recovery, soreness and swelling in the perineal area are common whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section. A sitz bath promotes blood flow to the area, which supports healing and provides noticeable pain relief. Most new parents can begin sitz baths within the first day or two after delivery, though your provider may give more specific timing based on your situation.
Safety Tips
The main risk is lightheadedness. Sitting in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes can lower your blood pressure slightly, so stand up slowly when you’re finished. Brace yourself on the edge of the tub or a grab bar if needed. If you feel dizzy, sit back down for a moment before trying again.
Always test the water temperature before sitting. Water that’s too hot can burn sensitive or already-damaged tissue. If you have diabetes or reduced sensation in the area, be especially careful, since you may not feel a burn as quickly.
Clean the basin or bathtub with soap and water after every use. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, and reusing an unclean basin can introduce infection to the very area you’re trying to heal.