Placing our feet at just the right distance apart and sitting down on that white seat or staring down into the bowl – it’s a place we all find ourselves multiple times a day.
Oh, come on, lose the taboo. We all go the toilet. It’s probably one of the most human things ever.
But despite it being something we learn to do from a very young age, apparently millions of us are making a ‘very common’ mistake whenever we go.
That’s according to the highly recognised US anal surgeon, Dr Evan Goldstein.
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He’s made quite the name of himself too, known by the likes of 'Dr Butthole', 'the bottom whisperer' and the 'Surgeon General of Bottoming'.
Thought to be the world’s most notable medical expert on anal sex, this bloke knows a thing or two about taking care of our bums.
Back in October 2024, Dr Goldstein appeared as a guest on the Am I Doing It Wrong podcast where he claimed we’re making a bit of a mistake after our number twos in particular.
The surgeon believes that using wet wipes can have a hugely damaging impact on our health as he also claimed standard loo roll allegedly risks unnecessary damage,
He was worried about how many companies were flogging moist wipes as he explained they can upset the different bacteria of the bodily region.
"They are so terrible - not only for the environment, but for your hole," he claimed. "There's so many companies out there throwing wipes and I think they should all be banned.
"I see 90 people a week [in my office], and I would say one-third of all the people coming through are coming in from wet wipe-induced issues."
The dark side of wet wipes
Dr Goldstein said the chemicals the wet wipes are often soaked in cause the issue, as they can negatively affect the microbiome of the surrounding area.
The bum whisperer put it bluntly: "We have good bacteria, we have bad bacteria, but they are in homeostasis. They are in equilibrium. Wet wipes f**k that in a really bad way."
He claimed he has seen dermatitis and bacterial infection in his patients following the regular use of wet wipes and a changed biome.
Serious health issues such as haemorrhoids, fissures and fungal growth could occur, the doc said, which would be a disaster to any unwitting patient.
The best way to wipe your behind
Dr Goldstein advises installing a bidet as this will cause less irritation than toilet paper.
This means your anal and genital area will be nicely cleaned by a stream of water.
But, considering the costs, if that’s not possible (and you’re at home), the expert advises quickly using the shower for a bottom rinse.
Topics: Health
Jess Battison