Advertisement
Everyone poops, but here’s what may affect how often you visit the toilet
We all poop. But how often should you be headed to the bathroom?
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
It varies from person to person and is based on different factors like your diet, age, activity level and if you have any conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease.
And when you have the urge to go, you should be able to sit down on the toilet, and within a few minutes, you should be done (with minimal straining, if any).
Colorectal surgeon Michael Valente, DO, explains how food gets digested and how often you should have a bowel movement.
The time it takes for food to make its way through your digestive system also varies from person to person. It takes different amounts of time for men and women to digest their meals, too.
It can take anywhere from two to five days for food to be fully digested and exit your body. When you eat, food goes through your stomach and small intestine — a process that can take six to eight hours — before entering your large intestine.
Once in your large intestine, it can take around 36 hours for food to be fully digested before you’re ready to have a bowel movement. A bowel movement is when stool, or the matter that’s left over after your digestive system absorbs the nutrients and fluids, exits your body through your rectum and anus.
Advertisement
“If you have a proper diet with good fiber and enough water intake, your bowel movements should be a very short occurrence,” says Dr. Valente.
Don’t be alarmed if you don’t have a bowel movement each day.
On average, you should poop about three times a week. But again, it all depends on the individual. If you always poop multiple times a day and your stool is soft and easy to pass, then you’re good.
Aim for a diet full of fiber from whole grains, fruits and vegetables — this will help you have bowel movements pretty regularly. If your diet is lacking in fiber, you may notice you don’t poop as often. Most adults require 25 grams (g)–35 g of fiber per day.
Staying hydrated is also key to healthy bowel movements. Water helps keep food moving through your digestive system and keeps it soft. You may experience constipation if you’re dehydrated. Approximately 64 ounces (or 2 liters) of water per day is recommended.
Another reason you might be constipated? Your age. As you get older factors like reduced mobility and certain medications can affect how often you poop.
Exercise, even walking, can also help keep your bowel movements regular and healthy. By being active, you keep your digestive system working.
If you have a chronic illness like IBS, you may notice your bowel movement pattern can shift from frequent bowel movements to feeling constipated.
“The most common reason for difficulty having a bowel movement is a lack of fiber and fluids in an individual’s diet,” notes Dr. Valente. “Thankfully, difficulties in passing bowel movements are easily corrected by starting and maintaining good eating and drinking habits, as well as an active lifestyle.”
Again, it depends on each individual. Most people have a bowel pattern that’s regular for them, whether that’s once each morning or three times a day.
But whenever you’re ready to head to the bathroom, the first thing you need to do is leave your electronic devices outside the bathroom, says Dr. Valente. Don’t take the newspaper, your book, your phone or any other device in there with you.
“The bathroom is meant for one reason and one reason only — and that’s to empty your bladder and have a proper bowel movement,” stresses Dr. Valente. “Five minutes really should be the maximum time you spend in the bathroom.”
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
There’s usually a simple answer, like what you ate, but the color can also be a cause for concern
Peppermint oil, exercise and a belly massage can help, but for ongoing symptoms, you may need to talk to a healthcare provider
Yes, diarrhea is common after drinking too much alcohol — and the best treatment is to hydrate and wait it out
After a cholecystectomy, your body may temporarily have a hard time processing fat and fiber
Opt for soft foods or liquids that are rich in protein, calories and vitamins
You may have some digestive issues after a cholecystectomy, but they’re usually temporary
Triggers can range from the foods you eat and the medications you take to how often you exercise and how stressed you are
Charcoal pills are used in certain emergency room settings but aren’t recommended for home use
When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more
You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being