What Is a Healthy Bowel Movement?

There's a range of normal, so be aware of your own patterns

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.

abnormal bowel movement signs
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:

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:

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 rectum
  • Blood in your stool
  • Continuous abdominal pain
  • Any other concerning symptom

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:

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:

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 improvement
  • Excessive thirst with a dry mouth or skin
  • Little or no urination
  • Severe weakness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Severe abdominal or rectal pain
  • Bloody or black stools
  • A 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:

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.

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.
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Additional Reading

By Amber J. Tresca
Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.