You may have a barium enema as an outpatient or as part of your stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may get in the way of the procedure.

You will be asked to remove your clothing. You will be given a gown to wear.

The technologist will take an X-ray to make sure your colon is clean.

You will lie on your side on an exam table.

The technologist or radiologist will put a soft, flexible rectal tube into your rectum. This will let the barium flow into your colon. A balloon near the end of the tube is inflated to keep the barium from leaking out.

The barium will flow slowly into your colon. You may have cramping as the barium goes in. To lessen the discomfort, you can take slow, deep breaths.

You may feel the need to have a bowel movement. It will be important to resist this urge to keep the barium from leaking back out. Let the technologist know if you are having trouble. After the test, you will be given a bedpan or helped to the bathroom.

During the test, the X-ray machine and exam table will move. You may be asked to move into different positions as the X-rays are taken.

The radiologist will take single pictures, a series of X-rays, or fluoroscopy as the barium moves through your colon.

When the procedure is done, the technologist will let the barium come out of the tube. They will deflate the balloon and remove the tube.

If you are having a double contrast study, some of the barium will drain into a bag. Some barium will stay in your colon. The technologist will put air into your rectum to expand the colon. They will do this at the direction of the radiologist. More X-rays are taken.

Once all the X-rays have been taken, you will be helped from the table and to the bathroom, if needed.