We asked experts to answer all your poop-related questionsso you don’t have to!
But an essential truth about the stuff cannot be ignored: It happens.
Here, experts answer all your most urgent questions about poop.
Photo:Asia Pietrzyk
What Should My Poop Look Like?
Its soft and smooth, like a sausage or snake, she says.
It gets a gold star!
I compare it to soft-serve ice cream in consistency, diameter, and ease of passage.
For people wondering whats normal when it comes to color, theres no simple answer.
It shouldnt be red, black, or white.
Pay special attention to any sign of blood.
Black and tarlike can mean bleeding, often coming from your upper GI tract, Nugent says.
Red can be fresh blood from your lower GI tract, or maybe you ate a lot of beets.
White can be a sign of an infection or an underlying medical issue.
Theres also the rare green poo.
Green indicates theres a substance called biliverdin in your stool, Nugent says.
If it lasts for more than a day or two, talk to your doctor.
Does Mine Smell Worse Than Other Peoples?
No ones smells like Chanel No.
To a certain extent, you really are what you eat.
The smell is based on the composition of yourgut microbiota, the good and bad bacteria, Nugent says.
Its also a combination of your intake of food and medications.
A one-time bowel movement with a funkier-than-usual stink is most likely a reflection of what you ingested.
Its a result of your body metabolizing sulfur, an essential dietary nutrient.
It could be linked to an infection or other medical condition.
How Often Should I Be Going?
Anything from three times a day to three times a week is fine.
Everyone is different, Islam says.
Its all about whats normal for you.
If theres no discomfort, pain, or significant change in size, you should be fine.
How Long Does It Take for Food to Move Through Me?
Longer than you might think.
After all, our intestines measure at least 15 feet long.
It varies based on things like diet, hydration, and activity level, she explains.
Whats the Best Way to Deal with Uncomfortable Constipation?
Its startling how little dietary fiber many people in the U.S. consume, Nugent says.
One study found that only about 7 out of 100 adults eat enough.
And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Water helps keep your poop soft and easy to pass.
I advise women to have about nine cups per day and men to have about 13.
Remember that chugging from your Stanley isnt the only way to hydrate.
Foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and soup are also a great way to reach your daily goal.
Take a brisk walk too; a little motion helps move the contents of your bowels.
Why Do I Get Backed Up Every Time I Travel?
Maybe the toilet in Cabo just feels a lot different from your own turf.
Travel constipation, the opposite of travelers diarrhea, typically results from a change in routine, Nugent says.
This can lead to withholding, which increases the risk of constipation.
Also, when youre on vacation, your diet may change.
Your go-to morning yogurt becomes a crepe, for example.
This can causeconstipationtoo, Newman says.
ensure you get enough fiber, vegetables, and simple carbs.
And even though those poolside pina coladas taste heavenly, alcohol can lead to dehydration, and therefore constipation.
Air travel and more lounging than usual can back you up as well.
So bring a water bottle and go for a walk!
Most of all, try not to stress out about it, Newman urges.
The problem usually resolves itself once youre home.
(See the softener tips above if needed.)
What Causes Diarrhea and Whats the Best Way to Treat It?
Diarrhea is a really complex topic, Islam says.
So we ask patients a lot of questions about what theyve been eating.
Foods that are high in sugarlike doughnuts, dried fruits, and sodabring water through the gut.
Why Are Menstrual or Menopausal BMs Different?
Whether you still get your period or youve bid it goodbye, hormones can change your poop.
Prostaglandins can affect the muscles in your intestines, making things move faster or slower, Islam says.
If your periods give you diarrhea or constipation, blame your hormones, but dont worry.
If the issue persists from month to month, ask your gynecologist or general practitioner for help.
How Should I Wrap Things Up?
Prolonged sitting can cause hemorrhoids, Islam warns.
At home, consider a bidet attachment.
It cleans with water, reducing the irritation triggered by repeated wiping.
Its especially helpful for people with sensitive skin, hemorrhoids, or conditions like anal fissures, Islam says.
OK, thats all for the poop talk.
