How Often Are You Supposed To Poop?

How often should you poop? It might be the No. 1 question people ask about going No. 2. For a hard and solid answer, we turn to colorectal surgeon Arielle Kanters, MD.

How many times a day should you poop?

Bowel movement frequency varies from person to person. Some might regularly poop multiple times a day. Others may go once daily — maybe even at the same time. And some do it just a few times a week.

On average, men poop more frequently than women, says Dr. Kanters. Not coincidentally, women are more likely to experience constipation.

But again, everyone is a bit different.

“You don't need to have a bowel movement every single day,” she says. “As long as you don’t feel backed up and you’re emptying out when you go, you’re probably fine. We all have our own natural schedule.”

What affects how often you poop?

A variety of factors can dictate how often you need to poop, says Dr. Kanters. The list includes:

• How much you eat: Simple math: If you eat more, you tend to poop more.
• What you eat: Certain foods (especially ones high in fiber) can speed the process along. Other foods (like red meat and refined pasta) have a tendency to cause constipation.
• Hydration level: Taking in more fluids softens stool and can lead to more regular bowel movements. Dehydration can make stools harder and less frequent.
• Physical activity: Exercise stimulates intestinal movement, which helps move poop along and can increase frequency.
• Stress: Emotional turmoil can either speed up or slow gut movement. (How’s that for wreaking all sorts of havoc?) That can lead to more frequent pooping, diarrhea or constipation.
• Medications: Ever get an odd feeling in your gut after taking medication? That can affect how often you go No. 2 and whether it comes out soft or hard.
• Health status: Illness, infections or existing conditions (like diabetes, food sensitivities or irritable bowel syndrome) can affect pooping patterns. Prior abdominal or pelvic surgeries can also play a role.
• Hormonal changes: Bowel movement regularity can change with hormone swings that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
• Aging: Getting older can slow gut movement and reduce pooping frequency.
• Caffeine: A jolt of caffeine, especially from coffee, can stimulate the colon to make some people poop sooner or more often.
• Alcohol: Beer, wine or cocktails can irritate the gut and change the fluid balance. This may cause diarrhea in some people or constipation in others, depending on the amount consumed.
• Fluctuating schedules: Changes in your normal routine (like when you travel) can upend your bathroom schedule.

Does pooping consistency matter?

If you poop at 8 a.m. every morning like clockwork, great — but a bowel movement doesn’t have to be a scheduled event. Expect some variation. Don’t worry if you skip a day here and there either.

“Go when you feel the need to go,” says Dr. Kanters. “Don’t feel pressure to do it a certain time.”

Your poop may look different day to day, too. (Even the color may change!) That variety is to be expected. The Bristol Stool Chart offers some perspective as to what different poop shapes and sizes may mean.

Should you force yourself to poop?

Absolutely not! Pushing or straining to force out poop can lead to swollen hemorrhoids or other uncomfortable issues. Ditto for sitting on the toilet for a long time, waiting for an eventual splashdown.

“If it’s not ready, it’s not ready,” emphasizes Dr. Kanters. “Don’t feel like you need to make something happen. Wait until later, when your body tells you it’s time for the poop to come out.”

When to see a doctor

Pooping routines aren’t exactly firm. Some days or weeks, you may go more. Sometimes, it may be less. But we all have what seems like our “normal” bathroom habits — and it’s obvious when things are off.

Don’t ignore drastic changes that linger for two weeks or more, urges Dr. Kanter. Signs like blood in your stool or abdominal pain deserve attention, too.

“If something feels wrong, it’s worth getting looked at — especially with the rise we’ve been seeing in colorectal cancer,” she notes. “Don’t just tell yourself, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ Listen to what your body is telling you.”