Intimate hygiene is a fundamental pillar of daily health. For decades, toilet paper has been the predominant method in the West, but more and more scientific studies and health organizations agree that washing with water is a more effective, hygienic, and healthier alternative.

In this article, we analyze what medical evidence says and why millions of people around the world are switching to water-based hygiene solutions, whether it's the traditional bidet or bidet toilets, among others.

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🌍 Water as a Global Standard for Intimate Hygiene

More than 70% of the world's population uses water as the primary method of cleaning after using the toilet, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and Southern Europe.

This habit is not culturally arbitrary: it responds to hygienic reasons backed by medicine.

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🧪 1) More Effective Cleaning Than Toilet Paper

A study published in the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development showed that using water removes significantly more fecal residue than dry paper.

👉 Key study conclusion:

- toilet paper can leave microscopic traces

- water reduces residual bacterial load

This has a direct impact on the prevention of infections and intimate discomfort.

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🦠 2) Reduced Risk of Infections and Irritations

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons notes that gentle washing with water can help prevent anal irritation, fissures, and itching.

Furthermore, dry paper can cause friction, micro-injuries, and worsen existing conditions such as:

- hemorrhoids

- perianal dermatitis

- chronic inflammation

Water, on the other hand, cleans without mechanical friction.

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🧬 3) Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Women

According to a clinical study in the International Urogynecology Journal, women who use bidets have a lower incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections compared to those who use only toilet paper.

This is because water reduces bacterial migration from the anal area to the urethra.

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🩺 4) Improved Well-being in Patients with Hemorrhoids and Rectal Surgery

Research published in the Colorectal Disease Journal concludes, among other things, that cleaning with water:

- reduces pain after anal surgery

- accelerates recovery

- improves quality of life

For this reason, many hospitals recommend the use of water in the post-operative period.

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🌱 5) Indirect Recommendation from Health Organizations

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) does not prescribe a specific cleaning method, it does promote access to safe water as an essential element of personal hygiene and prevention of infectious diseases.

This reinforces the concept that water is the most effective means of removing biological contaminants.

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🌎 6) Proven Environmental Benefits

A report by the Natural Resources Defense Council states that producing toilet paper requires:

- thousands of liters of water per ton

- massive deforestation

- large amounts of energy

Thus, using water significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with daily hygiene.

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🧠 7) Psychological Benefits and Feeling of Cleanliness

In perception studies conducted in Japan and Korea, more than 90% of bidet users claim to feel "much cleaner" than when using toilet paper.

This translates into greater comfort, self-esteem, and daily well-being.

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✅ Summary: Main Benefits of Intimate Washing with Water

✔ Deeper cleaning
✔ Lower bacterial load
✔ Less irritation and friction
✔ Prevention of urinary infections
✔ Improvement of anal conditions
✔ Lower environmental impact
✔ Greater feeling of well-being

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💧 The Future of Intimate Hygiene: Simple, Sustainable, and Healthy

The scientific evidence is clear: water is not just an alternative to toilet paper, but a significant improvement in terms of health, comfort, and sustainability.

For this reason, more and more households are adopting modern solutions that allow them to enjoy these benefits without the need to install a traditional bidet, with popular (though expensive) smart toilets as one option; or bidet toilets, which are manual and much more affordable, common in other countries and now beginning to appear in Spain.