Several health conditions, including abscesses and fistulas, can make wiping more difficult or affect your ability to feel completely clean after going to the bathroom.

If you feel like you have to use half the roll of toilet paper after you have a bowel movement, chances are you may have an underlying health condition.

Ideally, wiping after a bowel movement should take just two to three swipes of toilet paper. If you’re experiencing something different, try some of the following steps, and consult a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist.

Keep in mind that every person may have to wipe a little more than usual from time to time. But if you find that wiping a lot is the rule and not the exception, consider that one of these conditions may be an underlying cause.

Anal abscess or fistula

An anal abscess is an anal gland infection that causes pain, redness, and drainage in the rectal area. The drainage may be blood, pus, or stool. Untreated anal abscesses can develop into fistulas.

Abscesses and fistulas can sometimes produce crevices that trap stool, making you feel like you need to wipe more than usual.

Anal skin tags

Anal skin tags are skin growths that develop from recurrent friction, irritation, or inflammation. Common causes include:

  • chronic diarrhea
  • constipation
  • hemorrhoids
  • Crohn’s disease

Anal skin tags may catch stool and make it difficult to clean the rectal area after a bowel movement.

Bowel leakage

Bowel leakage, also known as fecal incontinence, occurs when you have a hard time holding in a bowel movement. You may leak stool when you pass gas, or find you leak stool throughout the day.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside or outside the rectum. They can cause symptoms such as itching, pain, and bleeding. Because stool can catch on them, it may be difficult to get completely clean.

Wiping after having a bowel movement is about more than achieving a clean feeling. Not wiping away all fecal matter can increase the risk of conditions such as:

Several methods can improve feelings of cleanliness after a bowel movement.

Use wet wipes

Wet wipes can help you avoid irritation from dry toilet paper. Look for products that are unscented and for sensitive skin. Otherwise, these wipes could cause irritation and actually worsen your symptoms.

If you decide to use wipes, do not flush them down the toilet. They can clog plumbing.

Check the direction

Always wipe from front to back so you don’t introduce unwanted bacteria into the urethra.

Clean up with a bidet or rinse bottle

A bidet allows water to flow upward to cleanse the rectum. A rinse bottle should be squeezed from the front, allowing the water to move toward the back.

Avoid ‘aggressive’ or excessive wiping

Excessive and harsh wiping can irritate your rectum. Instead of wiping too much or too hard, rinse the area. Consider a bidet attachment or rinse bottle.

Wear an incontinence pad

Sometimes, if you have repeated stool leakage, an incontinence pad can help you feel clean. It can absorb some of the stool and keep it from soiling your underwear.

However, if you use an incontinence pad, be sure to change it frequently. A soiled pad that is in contact with the skin for too long can cause irritation.

In addition to improving your wiping method, the following steps may help treat some of the underlying causes that make wiping difficult in the first place:

  • Take a bath in Epsom salts or soak in a sitz bath to help reduce inflammation in the rectal area. This can reduce itching and irritation after a bowel movement.
  • Increase your water and fiber intake. This will help add bulk to your stool and make it easier to pass.
  • Take an over-the-counter (OTC) stool softener. It can reduce straining that can worsen hemorrhoids.

Avoid products with fragrances in the rectal area, such as lotions, toilet paper, or soaps. They can be irritating.

Avoid foods and drinks that irritate your digestive tract and can lead to diarrhea. Triggers will vary but may include:

  • artificial sweetener
  • caffeine
  • “hot” or spicy dishes
  • onions

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe, sudden pain related to bowel movements or have unexplained bleeding. Bleeding can cause your stool to appear red or have the texture of coffee grounds.

Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if OTC treatments aren’t helping. They may recommend:

  • Bowel training: Bowel training involves teaching yourself to go to the bathroom at around the same time each day. It may reduce the likelihood of fecal incontinence.
  • Pelvic floor exercises: A primary care doctor can refer you to a pelvic floor therapist, who can help you perform pelvic floor exercises. These may help reduce the likelihood of fecal incontinence.
  • Prescription medications: You might be prescribed medications to help improve conditions that cause wiping issues such as hemorrhoids, constipation, anal fistulas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Surgery: In rare instances, if OTC or prescription treatments aren’t working, your healthcare professional might recommend surgery to reduce severe leakage.

If you feel like you have to wipe endlessly after a bowel movement, you aren’t alone. There are several things you can try to feel cleaner that don’t involve investing in toilet paper stock.

But if your at-home interventions aren’t working, talk with a healthcare professional. Your symptoms might be related to an underlying condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help you feel more comfortable.