Letโs be real โ weโve all been there. You finish up your bathroom business and, for whatever reason, you find yourself wiping more times than youโd like to admit.
Maybe itโs three wipes, maybe itโs five โ but one expert says if youโre wiping more than three times, something might be off.
In a TikTok video thatโs taken the internet by storm, a pelvic floor physiotherapist from BIEN Australia breaks it down and offers some eye-opening advice for anyone struggling with excessive wiping.
Spoiler alert: It might not be as simple as just trying harder.
So, whatโs going on?
Georgia Reupert-Allen is physiotherapist and expert in womens health and pelvic floor physiotherapy. And according to her, wiping more than three times is calledย faecal smearing, and it happens when thereโs still leftover stool at the entrance of your bottom after using the bathroom
โEssentially, it occurs when too much faecal matter remains at the a*** entrance even after you have finished your bowel movement,โ the physiotherapist explains.
The solution: try this technique
Before you throw your hands up in frustration, the good news is that thereโs a simple trick that could reduce all that extra wiping. The expert suggests using a technique called โprogressive pelvic floor muscle squeezing,โ which sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is.
The goal is to progressively squeeze your pelvic floor muscles in a pattern similar to a waterfall. You start by squeezing at 20%, then 50%, 80%, and finally go for 100% by the end of your movement.
Doing this four times can help to close off your anal sphincter, minimizing the chances of leftover stool hanging around. This technique works by addressing potential weakness in the external sphincter, which could be the culprit for all that extra wiping.
When should you seek help?
Now, if the technique doesnโt do the trick, donโt worry. The expert acknowledges that other issues, such as hemorrhoids or scar tissue, might be contributing to your wiping woes.
Ideally, you should be having a bowel movement anywhere from one to three times a day, or at least three times a week.
If you have any concerns about your health, donโt hesitate to consult your doctor.
What the TikTok comments are saying
Naturally, the TikTok comment section is filled with humorous takes on the whole situation. From joking about โhairy situationsโ to sharing experiences of bathroom struggles, itโs safe to say the video resonated with plenty of people.
The bottom line?
Excessive wiping isnโt something you should just brush off. By trying the pelvic floor squeeze technique and consulting with a doctor if needed, you can take steps toward a cleaner, more efficient bathroom routine.
@bien.ausAnd if you dont already have a toilet stool what are you doing!? Link in bio to get one for less than 20 bucks!
So, next time you find yourself wiping more than three times, remember: thereโs hope for a smoother, cleaner finish.
