Hi, oil retention enemas can be very helpful in cases of fecal impaction as well as with dried hard stools before they form an impaction. As you say, it is advisable to retain the oil (pure olive oil is preferred) for at least an hour, or even overnight. Leakage can occur, so if this presents a problem, a disposable diaper can helpful.

Best results are usually achieved by following the Oil Enema with a full bag soapsuds enema at 103 degrees F, 39.5 C, followed by a clear water or saline cleansing enema.

I use an 8 ounce adult squeeze bulb enema syringe to administer an oil retention enema, and although it's almost impossible to get more than 5 or 6 ounces in on a single squeeze, 2 bulbs full is adequate to lubricate and soften the stool contained in the rectum where the problems that can be relieved by an oil retention enema usually originate.

Using a bulb syringe like this is cumbersome and difficult for an individual giving it to themselves, so what I recommend is to purchase a short flexible rubber colon tube which you can find on the internet to attach to the hard plastic tube that comes with the bulb. I've seen at least one web site in the past that sold the combination of the bulb syringe already fitted with the tube.

This way, you can lay on your back and use both hands to squeeze the bulb, which takes considerably more pressure when it's filled with olive oil than when it's filled with water, and the rubber tube tube gives you the extra length so you don't have to awkwardly stretch to try to manipulate the bulb.

Don't get a rectal or colon tube that is too long though, 12 inches is just right. The longer the tube, the more difficult it is to squeeze and get the desired amount of oil into the rectum.

Hope this helps, good luck,

Valerie