6 Reasons Why Some People Heavily Dislike Using Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is the preferred way of most people around the world to clean themselves after using the toilet. However, there are people who find it better to use bidets instead. Maybe toilet paper is harming them in various ways or they just think it’s cheaper to use fresh water. We decided to show you some reasons why people around the world have ditched or would like to ditch toilet paper.

1. It may trigger allergies.

Scented toilet paper surely smells good and may be a nice addition to your bathroom, but these attractive perfumes can actually lead to allergies. To make toilet paper smell like a spring garden, companies often use artificial fragrances that can disrupt the healthy pH of your private parts and even cause yeast infections.

2. Not all countries’ plumbing is made for paper.

In many Asian countries, water management systems are not as good as in the West. Because of the sanitary problems it may cause, flushing toilet paper is not recommended. That’s why people there usually use water bowls, bidets, or bidet showers instead of paper. Also, to make sure that you can flush paper in the toilet, pay attention to whether there is a bin. In many cases, the bin serves to collect the toilet paper.

2. It might affect your reproductive health.

Buying recycled toilet paper may seem like a conscious choice, but it often contains a powerful endocrine disrupter called bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA is chemically similar to the hormone, estrogen, which is crucial for fertility and the functioning of the uterus. Because it mimics estrogen, BPA can lead to problems with reproduction. In fact, avoiding BPA is one of the first things medical experts recommend to women who want to start a family.

4. It can cause irritation.

Toilet tissue that is too hard can irritate the area, especially for people who have hemorrhoids or fissures. Using water instead is much more gentle and could be helpful to relieve pressure in the perianal area.

5. It may lead to urinary infections.

Poor wiping habits with toilet paper can lead to the spread of bacteria. Moreover, for women, wiping back to front could increase the risk of transferring bacteria to the urethra. By using alternatives like a bidet or using a wet wipe, it’s possible to escape these issues.

6. It’s not environmentally-friendly.

According to expert analysis, in the USA only, 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper are used every year, representing the pulping of some 15 million trees. This also requires huge amounts of water, bleach, energy, and packaging materials. Using other means like a bidet, as the experts believe, is much more environmentally-friendly.
In some Southern European countries, bidets have always been around. For example, in Portugal 92% of homes use bidet and in Italy about 97% of homes have one in their bathrooms. In Asian countries, including China, Japan and the Philippines, bidets are very common, with people opting for them over toilet paper.

Have you ever tried cleaning yourself with a bidet instead of toilet paper? Do you think toilet paper can be substituted all around the world?