HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Which is more effective: mineral oil enema or a saline enema?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Enemas oil based/sal: Saline enemas loosen stool and stimulate bowel movement.If used frequently these can cause hypocalcemia and hyperphosptemia.It is effective in severly constipated with/ without stool retention.Mineral oil enemas are used in patients who are impacted with stools so hard and large causing obstruction, and is used as retention enema, if patient is able to retain overnite follwed by manual disimpaction.

Dr Villaplana and another doctor agreed

Answered 9/9/2020

5.7k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I used 1/2 bottle of premade Fleet MINERAL OIL ENEMA. First time. It said to FOLLOW it with a regular SALINE FLEET ENEMA AFTER, to help pass stool & clean out the oil. It's VERY OILY! CAN I USE A 2ND SALINE TO CLEAN THE OIL better just this one time?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My boyfriend has done 3 enemas (the mineral oil and saline kind) and milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) and dulcolax. He still can't poop and feels sick. What can he do?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

No BM in 6 days. Took miralax x 2 days, dulcolax x 3 doses and had some result with saline enema and mineral oil Supp. Stomach distended, still passing gas, but no urge to go. No nausea or pain. Few bowel sounds with stethoscope ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Is a saline enema more effective than a normal one?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I have to give myself an enema but do not have any vasaline or lube. can i use mineral oil as a substitute?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I was wondering are mineral oil enema as effective at saline enemas?
If im constipated from my Norco 10 pain meds. Would a mineral oil enema or a saline enema be more effective?
What is the difference between using a saline vs mineral oil enema?
Can I take a expired mineral oil or saline enema. I just had a dnc and my constipation is horrible. It's hard to read date but I thinkbit says 2002?
Saline or mineral oil enema before anal sex?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.