How to use a home enema
Read our guide below which explains how to use an enema at home.
You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.
What is the enema I need to use?
We’ve asked you to use Cleen Ready to Use. It contains 21.4g of sodium dihydrogen phosphate and 9.4g of disodium phosphate dodecahydrate.
When do I need to use it?
You must use it before a camera test of the bowel (flexible sigmoidoscopy).
Why do I need to use it?
The enema helps clear your bowel so the endoscopist can see all of your bowel clearly. A clean bowel will allow a clear view of the inner lining, which is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Make sure you follow the instructions carefully. If your bowel isn’t clean enough, we may have to cancel the flexible sigmoidoscopy and repeat it at another time if.
Where do I get the enema from?
We can prescribe the enema which you can collect from Stoke Mandeville or Wycombe hospital pharmacies.
If you pay for prescription charges you may find it cheaper and more convenient to order this from an online pharmacy. It is an over-the-counter medication and doesn’t need a prescription.
What is Cleen Ready-to-Use enema?
It’s a bowel cleanser which you administer yourself. The enema is a small bottle of fluid that you put into your bottom using a small tube. Enemas are safe, gentle and surprisingly easy to use. Most people find it convenient and comfortable to use the enema at home.
Cleen acts by quickly drawing water into the bowel, increasing the water content of your poo which usually produces a soft, easy-to-pass bowel movement within 15 minutes. Bowel movements as a result of using Cleen shouldn’t be painful.
Before taking using the Cleen enema
Don’t use the enema if you’re having treatment for kidney disease, colitis or have bloody diarrhoea. If you have any concerns about using an enema, contact the endoscopy unit and speak to a nurse.
Make sure you read through this information carefully before using the enema. Use the enema up to 2 hours before you leave for the hospital on the day of your
procedure. Do not have it more than 2 hours before your procedure as your bowel will fill with poo again.
Use the enema even if you have recently had a poo.
You’ll usually need to go to the toilet within 15 minutes of using it.
You must not eat or drink anything after the enema and until after your procedure.
What you’ll need
You will need a:
• jug or bowl of warm tap water
• towel
• bed to lie down on
Make sure you’re near a toilet. Find somewhere comfortable to lie down and have a towel to lie on in case of leakage.
How to use the enema
1. Put the unopened enema bottle or pack into the jug of warm (not hot) water for about 5 minutes. This will warm the enema to body temperature.
2. Wash your hands and, if possible, wear disposable gloves
3. Spread the towel on the bed, where your bottom will be
4. Remove the orange cap from the nozzle of the enema bottle
5. Lie on your left side, on the towel, with your knees up towards your chest
6. Put the full length of the nozzle carefully and gently into your bottom, up to the disk at the end of the nozzle, with the tip pointing towards your navel.
7. Squirt in all the contents until empty. NOTE: It is not necessary to empty the unit completely. The bottle contains more than the amount of liquid needed for effective use, so a small residue will remain
8. Gently remove the nozzle from your bottom and stay lying down.
9. Try to hold the liquid inside your bottom for about 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t worry if you can’t hold it that long. To take your mind off the enema, you might find it helpful to read, or watch TV.
10.When you can no longer hold the enema, and you have the urge to go to the toilet, get up slowly and walk to the toilet.
11.Make sure you do not get up too quickly to go to the toilet. Some people feel faint or dizzy when they try to get up. If this happens to you, lie back down until the feeling passes.
12.Go to the toilet, but don’t worry if you don’t poo at first.
13.Stay near a toilet for the next hour. Some people might have mild stomach cramps for a short while.
14.The effects of the enema will then stop. and you should have no problems travelling to the endoscopy unit.
If you have any problems
Contact the endoscopy unit if you:
- can’t use the enema for any reason
- don’t have any bowel movements within an hour
- have any significant bleeding.
Contact us
01494 425073 – Wycombe Hospital Endoscopy Unit
01296 315220 – Stoke Mandeville Hospital Endoscopy Unit
About this information
This is intended as general information only. We make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but it’s subject to change. Check specific advice on any concerns you may have with your doctor.
How can you help reduce healthcare associated infections?
Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have infection prevention and control procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections. Follow our infection prevention and control guidelines when visiting our healthcare sites.