Harvard gastroenterologist warns toilet paper isn't cleaning your bum, shares what to use instead 'to change your life'

Dr Pasricha is sparking a conversation about bathroom habits, saying toilet paper isn't enough – here is what can 'clean your bum in a way toilet paper can't'.

In an era of high-tech health hacks, a gastroenterologist is going back to basics — or rather, back to the bathroom. In the March 30, 2026 episode of the Mel Robbins Podcast, Dr Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist and physician-scientist at Harvard Medical School, shared a dirty little secret that people might not be prepared to handle.

Dr Pasricha warns against aggressive wiping and advocates a gentle dab to prevent irritation. She also highlights the need for bidets over toilet paper for better hygiene. (Freepik)

According to Dr Pasricha, the standard ‘American’ reliance on dry toilet paper is fundamentally flawed: "I don't think toilet paper is the answer. What we really need is bidets (electric or non-electric toilet seats with water spray). And I know a lot of people in this country (the US) are not ready for that conversation. A bidet is going to change your life."

The science of the spray

The core of Dr Pasricha’s argument lies in the efficiency of water versus the friction of paper. While luxury models exist, Dr Pasricha shared that hygiene shouldn’t be a gate-kept privilege.

She explained that the mechanics of a bidet are straightforward: "The simplest form of a bidet is simply a nozzle that sprays your exterior clean. That's all it can be… these simple nozzle attachments are like pretty cheap. You can install them yourself... on the other end, there are beautiful luxury bidets, where you have a heated seat." According to her, the bottom line is: "Bidets clean your bum in a way that toilet paper can't."

To back her claims, Dr Pasricha cited recent data regarding hand hygiene: “Somebody did this study back in 2023. There was a study that showed that your hands, when you wipe after having a bowel movement, have more microbes on them than people who use a (bidet).”

Protecting 'the most delicate tissue'

Beyond simple cleanliness, Dr Pasricha raised concerns about the physical toll that 'aggressive' wiping takes on the body. She expressed confusion over why society treats such a sensitive area so harshly: "For some reason with the most delicate tissue in our body, we think wiping's okay. I really think that, like sometimes when we're just scraping our bums, a lot of people have sensitivity in that area."

For those who aren't ready to install plumbing upgrades, Dr Pasricha suggested a significant shift in technique. Instead of the standard 'scrape', she advocated for a 'gentle dab' when using toilet paper. She exlained, "A gentle dab keeps you from creating these microscopic tears, smearing it in... people who have fissures, who have hemorrhoids, women who are postpartum — I tell all my postpartum patients is just a gentle dab is all you need."

Medical red flags and proper technique for women

While the conversation centred on hygiene, the Harvard specialist also issued a stern medical warning regarding rectal bleeding. While a bidet or a 'gentle dab' can help those with existing irritations, some symptoms require immediate clinical intervention. "If you're having bleeding and there's no haemorrhoids, there's no fissure, we really have to do a colonoscopy at that point," Dr Pasricha warned.

Dr Pasricha also highlighted the anatomical importance of directional hygiene in preventing secondary infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). She said, "I think women are sometimes taught that it should be front to back. And that's the idea — is that we don't want to mix the bacteria from our rear end up front to decrease the risk of UTI... the best way to wipe up front is a gentle dab. And I think that if you have the ability to do that in the back, that's the best way, too."

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This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.