Digestive Health Daily Care What Is a Healthy Bowel Movement? There's a range of normal, so be aware of your own patterns By Amber J. Tresca Updated on June 13, 2023 Medically reviewed by Sonal Kumar, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How Often Is Normal? Constipation Diarrhea Stool Appearance Stool Color Other Abnormalities The definition of a healthy bowel movement can be different for each person based on diet, age, general health, fitness, and other factors. Even so, there are certain changes in the size, consistency, frequency, smell, or color of your poop that may be a sign of a health concern. Arguably, the most important indication of a "normal" bowel movement is regularity. This can mean how often you go as well as how consistent your stools look, feel, and smell from one bowel movement to the next. This article explores some of the bowel movement problems people face as well as the specific changes in the appearance, color, or size of stools that should raise a red flag. Illustration by Jessica Olah, Verywell How Often Should You Go? The process of digestion and defecation (passing stool) can vary from one person to the next based on what they eat and how much fluid they drink. Eating foods that are high in fiber, for instance, can ensure greater consistency in bowel movements than eating foods that are high in saturated fat. Physical activity also contributes as it stimulates the movement of the intestines more than sitting around. Age factors in as well as it influences both digestion and gut motility (the movement of intestines), both of which change with age. Numerous other factors, including medications you take and even where you live, influence the frequency of an otherwise "normal" bowel movement. So, as to the question of how often you should go, the most reasonable response is—it depends. What's "normal" for you may not be normal for someone else, and vice versa. In Western populations, a "normal" bowel movement is one that occurs between three times a day and three times a week. How Long Should It Take to Poop? Generally speaking, if you feel that it is time to go, it may only take a few seconds to one minute to pass a stool. But some people need to sit and allow the process to occur on its own, and that's perfectly normal too.Some studies have reported that it takes between 4.7 and 6.1 minutes for an average healthy female aged 18 to 35 to pass a stool. Having to sit for longer than 10 to 15 minutes on a regular basis may be a sign of a health concern. Constipation Constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. Constipation, which accounts for 2.5 million healthcare provider visits each year, is characterized by hard, dry, lumpy stools that are difficult or painful to pass. It may be accompanied by bloating, abdominal pain, and straining on the toilet. Causes of constipation, both common and uncommon, include: Dehydration Lack of exercise Low-fiber diet Pregnancy Medication side effects Diverticular disease Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Bowel obstruction Neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson's disease Autoimmune diseases like lupus or scleroderma Colorectal cancer Severe or chronic constipation can have serious health implications. Straining can cause hemorrhoids, anal fissures (a tear in the anal canal), or rectal prolapse (when part of the rectum protrudes from the anus). Another potential concern is fecal impaction in which a hard stool gets stuck in the intestine and requires medical treatment to remove it. The treatment of uncomplicated constipation commonly involves: Eating more fiber Eating less saturated fat and refined carbohydrates Drinking ample fluid Getting regular physical activity Stopping medications or supplements that cause constipation Taking over-the-counter stools softeners when needed Trying bowel training When to See a Healthcare Provider See your healthcare provider if constipation lasts more than a week or if constipation is accompanied by:Bleeding from your rectumBlood in your stoolContinuous abdominal painAny other concerning symptom Why Can't I Complete a Bowel Movement? Diarrhea Diarrhea is defined as having loose, watery stools three or more times a day. It is a common condition that affects roughly 179 million people in the United States each year. Bouts of diarrhea may be described as acute (lasting less than two weeks), persistent (lasting between two and four weeks), and chronic (lasting for more than four weeks). The duration of treatment may inform the appropriate treatment. The causes of diarrhea are many and include: Gastrointestinal infections Medication side effects Food intolerance Food allergies Excessive heat exposure Poisoning, including food poisoning Celiac disease Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Colon cancer Complications include severe dehydration, malnutrition, acute kidney failure, and organ damage. Some cases can be fatal. In most cases, you can treat acute diarrhea with: Over-the-counter drugs such as Imodium (loperamide) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration Eating a BRAT diet comprised of banana, rice, applesauce, and toast to help bind stools Taking probiotics to help restore the normal balance of bacteria in the gut Additional interventions may be needed depending on the underlying cause. Infections may require antibiotics, antiparasitics, and other antimicrobial drugs to clear the infection. Diseases like celiac disease and IBD may benefit from a change in diet or immunosuppressant drugs that temper the abnormal immune response. When to See a Healthcare Provider Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following signs or symptoms:Diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvementExcessive thirst with a dry mouth or skinLittle or no urinationSevere weaknessDizziness or lightheadednessSevere abdominal or rectal painBloody or black stoolsA high fever Appearance of Stool A normal stool is one that is soft like peanut butter, well-formed, and easy to pass. The appearance of a stool is considered abnormal if it is too hard, too soft, too small, or too large. These characteristics are described in the Bristol chart, which healthcare providers use to tell if your poop is healthy. The Bristol chart categorizes stools into seven different types: Type Stool Characteristics Type 1 Separate hard pebbles or lumps Type 2 Sausage-shaped with a hard, lumpy surface Type 3 Sausage-shaped with a dense, irregular, cracked surface Type 4 Sausage-shaped with a smooth surface similar to peanut butter Type 5 Soft, separate blobs with clearly defined edges Type 6 Fluffy blobs with a mushy texture and ragged edges Type 7 Watery with no solids Of the seven types, types 1 and 2 indicate constipation and types 6 and 7 indicate diarrhea. "Normal" stool consistency can, therefore, range from type 3 to 5, with type 4 being the ideal bowel movement. Should It Sink or Float? In the past, it was thought that stools only float if you eat too much fat or have a malabsorption problem that affects your ability to digest fat. While this could very well be the issue, scientists have recently found that stools can also float based on the amount of gas produced by the natural bacteria in your gut. These gases can penetrate stool and cause them to float even in perfectly healthy people. Color of Stool The natural color of stools is golden-brown to chocolate brown. Any variations in the normal color may be a sign of a medical issue. In many cases, the color change may be caused by something you ate. But if the color change is persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's important to have it checked out. Here's why: Red stools may also be the result of eating red-colored food like beets or strawberry gelatin. The red may also be due to blood in your stool caused by everything from include hemorrhoids to IBD and colon cancer. Green stool: This can be caused by severe diarrhea (and excess bile that hasn't broken down) or from a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection of the gut. Iron supplements can sometimes cause green stools as can green-colored foods like lime gelatin or spinach. Pale or clay-colored stool: This is a common sign of liver or gallbladder disease, including hepatitis. But, it may also be due to less serious causes like a recent barium enema. Black or tarry stool: This may be caused by internal bleeding high in the digestive tract, such as caused by colon cancer or a peptic ulcer. It may be also due to taking iron supplements, using Pepto-Bismol (bismuth), or eating licorice candy. Other Abnormalities Small amounts of mucus in the stool are normal as the intestines produce mucus to help lubricate passing stools. However, large amounts of mucus in stool may be a sign of a medical condition, particularly if the mucus is blood. These include: IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis Intestinal infection Celiac disease Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) Cystic fibrosis Colon cancer A thin, pencil-like stool is also a concern. This is generally caused by the narrowing of the intestine due to diseases like IBS, IBD, and colon cancer. Chronic diarrhea and severe intestinal infection can also cause the narrowing of the passageway (called an intestinal stricture), which can on the one hand lead to pencil stools and on the other cause a bowel obstruction. When Is Stinky Too Stinky? Stools generally have an unpleasant odor. But there are also times when stool may emit an unusually putrid or sulfuric smell. This can be caused by malabsorption conditions like IBS or IBD. It can also be the result of a food allergy, food intolerance, gastrointestinal infection, or the use of antibiotics or multivitamins. The Causes of Foamy Poop Summary A "normal" bowel movement is generally what is normal for you. You should expect to pass stools between three times a day and three times a week. Anything greater than three times a day may be due to diarrhea, while anything less than three times a week may be due to constipation. Stools should be brown, have a peanut butter-like texture, and look like a sausage. If your stool has an abnormal color, consistency, or smell, it may be due to something you ate or an underlying medical condition in need of investigation by a healthcare provider. 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M. Chronic constipation: a review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631 Panigrahi MK, Kar SK, Singh SP, Ghoshal UC. Defecation frequency and stool form in a coastal eastern Indian population. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013 Jul;19(3):374–80. doi:10.5056/jnm.2013.19.3.374 Modi RM, Hinton A, Pinkhas D, et al Implementation of a defecation posture modification device: impact on bowel movement patterns in healthy subjects. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Mar;53(3):216–19. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001143 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & facts for constipation. Sanchez MI, Bercik P. Epidemiology and burden of chronic constipation. Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:11B-15B. doi:10.1155/2011/974573 Portalatin M, Winstead N. Medical management of constipation. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-9. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754 National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine: StatPearls. Fecal impaction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diarrhea. Alam SMM, Crasta DN, Roy P, et al, Genesis of fecal floatation is causally linked to gut microbial colonization in mice, Sci Rep. 2022;12:18109. doi10.1038/s41598-022-22626-x Onho H, Murajami H, Tanisawa K, Konishi K, Miyachi M. Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition. Sci Rep. 2019;9:3760. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5 Tan CK, Chao CM, Lai CC. Green feces. QJM. 2013;106(3):287. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcr271 Matsuda K, Akiyama T, Tsujibe S, Oki K, Gawad A, Fujimoto J. Direct measurement of stool consistency by texture analyzer and calculation of reference value in Belgian general population. Sci Rep. 2021;11:2400. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81783-7 Additional Reading The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Hemorrhoids: Expanded information. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Rectal prolapse: Expanded version. By Amber J. Tresca Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies