Expert Explains Why You Should Never Wipe More Than Three Times After Going To Bathroom

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An expert has explained why you should never wipe more than three times after going to the bathroom.

People online are discovering that even something as routine as going to the bathroom can unexpectedly spark intense debate.

From arguments about whether toilet paper should hang over or under, to viral conversations about how often people shower, the internet has a strange ability to turn everyday habits into full-blown controversies.

And now, a pelvic floor expert has triggered another surprisingly heated discussion after warning that many people may actually be wiping too much after using the toilet.

According to the specialist, if you regularly find yourself wiping far more than two or three times, your body could be trying to tell you something.

A bathroom habit most people never question

For most people, wiping after using the bathroom is completely automatic.

It’s not exactly something people tend to analyze or discuss openly.

But recently, a TikTok video uploaded by pelvic health company BIEN Australia went massively viral after one pelvic floor physiotherapist claimed there’s actually an ‘ideal’ amount of wiping.

And according to her, repeatedly wiping over and over again may not necessarily mean you’re getting cleaner.

Instead, she says it can sometimes point toward an underlying issue.

“When you are wiping more than two or three times, that is called faecal smearing,” the physiotherapist explained in the now-viral clip.

“It is essentially when too much faecal matter stays at the entrance of the anus even after you have finished your poo.”

The short video quickly exploded online as people reacted with equal parts horror, fascination, and humor.

Some viewers admitted they had never even considered the possibility that excessive wiping could indicate a medical issue.

Others immediately began joking about their own bathroom struggles.

One person wrote: “This is the content I’ve been looking for!”

Another commented: “Oh my god that’s so interesting.”

Meanwhile, another joked: “Why did this have to come up when I am in the process of taking a sh*t?”

The internet had plenty of thoughts about the advice

As with most viral TikTok health discussions, the comment section quickly spiraled into chaos.

Some people thanked the expert for discussing something many are too embarrassed to talk about publicly.

Others admitted the video had genuinely made them rethink their bathroom habits.

But many viewers approached the topic with humor instead.

One commenter joked: “My problem is I’m as hairy as Chewbacca. It’s like wiping peanut butter off a Persian rug.”

Another wrote: “I’m never emotionally recovering from hearing the phrase faecal smearing.”

Others argued they simply didn’t believe two or three wipes could possibly be enough.

“I refuse to trust anyone who stops at three,” one person commented.

The discussion also sparked wider conversations online about bidets, wet wipes, digestive health, diet, and toilet paper quality.

Some people insisted that bidets completely eliminate the issue altogether, while others shared horror stories about endlessly wiping despite feeling “clean.”

And surprisingly, medical experts say the issue actually isn’t uncommon.

According to Healthline, several underlying conditions can contribute to what feels like endless wiping after bowel movements.

Potential causes include hemorrhoids, anal skin tags, bowel leakage, abscesses, fistulas, and digestive conditions that make it harder for the body to fully clear stool.

Health experts also warn that aggressive or excessive wiping itself can create irritation, itching, inflammation, and discomfort, potentially making the situation even worse.

In other words, wiping more and more doesn’t always solve the problem.

Sometimes it can actually worsen it.

Doctors say several health issues could contribute

Medical professionals say occasional extra wiping isn’t necessarily cause for concern.

But if it becomes a consistent issue, experts recommend paying attention to potential symptoms or patterns.

According to Healthline, hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes.

Because swollen veins around the rectum can trap stool, people may struggle to feel fully clean after using the bathroom.

Anal skin tags — small benign growths caused by irritation or inflammation — can also make cleaning more difficult.

Other conditions, including bowel leakage or fecal incontinence, may contribute as well.

Doctors additionally emphasize that the wiping technique matters more than many people realize.

Experts recommend wiping front to back, avoiding excessive pressure, and considering alternatives like wet wipes, rinse bottles, or bidets if irritation becomes an issue.

However, even wet wipes come with warnings.

Many supposedly ‘flushable’ wipes can damage plumbing systems and sewage infrastructure, leading experts to recommend disposing of them in trash bins instead of flushing them down toilets.

Medical professionals also encourage people to focus on digestive health overall.

Increasing fiber intake, staying hydrated, reducing constipation, and maintaining healthy bowel habits can all potentially reduce excessive wiping.

Some people online were stunned to learn there might actually be medical science behind the issue.

“I genuinely thought everyone wiped like 20 times,” one user admitted.

Another joked: “This video has ruined my entire understanding of adulthood.”

Still, experts say persistent problems shouldn’t simply be ignored or laughed off.

People experiencing pain, bleeding, severe irritation, or ongoing leakage are generally advised to consult healthcare professionals for evaluation.

The pelvic floor trick that supposedly changes everything

The viral video’s biggest talking point, however, wasn’t the diagnosis itself.

It was the unusual technique the physiotherapist suggested people try before reaching for endless amounts of toilet paper.

According to the expert, a specific pelvic floor exercise may help reduce leftover stool at the end of bowel movements.

She described it as squeezing the pelvic floor muscles “in a waterfall formation.”

“So, start by squeezing the anus 20 percent, then 50 percent, 80 percent, and 100 percent so that you have squeezed it four times at the end of your poo,” she explained.

The idea, she says, is that gradually activating the muscles helps close the anal sphincter more effectively and reduces residue remaining at the entrance afterward.

“This can help close off the anus sphincter, which is the reason you are having little bits of stool hanging on the entrance,” she added.

According to the physiotherapist, weakness in the external sphincter is often one of the biggest reasons people struggle with excessive wiping.

However, she also warned that hemorrhoids, scar tissue, or other medical conditions may contribute too, meaning anyone dealing with persistent issues should seek professional advice if the exercises don’t help.

The video has now racked up millions of views across social media platforms as people continue debating whether the “three wipe rule” is realistic or completely impossible.

And while many viewers are still refusing to believe three wipes could ever be enough, the expert’s warning remains simple:

If you constantly find yourself wiping far more than that, your body may be trying to tell you something.

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