Did you know astronauts left four bags of poop on the very first trip to the moon? It’s a quirky bit of space history that highlights something universal: everyone deals with digestion, no matter where they are.
Even though it's a very natural part of life, talking about poop tends to make people squirm. Part of that discomfort may be rooted in evolution. Humans developed a natural aversion to feces because it helped protect us from parasites and harmful bacteria.
While that instinct served our ancestors, it keeps us from conversations that could help us better understand our bodies. When something seems “gross,” we often shut down curiosity instead of leaning into it. The problem is that silence leaves people wondering what’s normal.
Our bodies communicate constantly, but we don’t always know how to decode the messages. Without open conversation, many people assume their habits are normal, even when they may not be. As a result, important signals from the digestive system can be misinterpreted or ignored.
So, let’s loosen up and talk about poop - because it’s one of the simplest ways to understand digestive health and what our bodies are trying to tell us.
The Basics
Ideally, poop will be...
- smooth & soft
- chocolatey brown color (like that of a Hershey bar)
- consistent (1-3/day) since it is the body’s way of eliminating toxins
It should not...
- fall apart when the toilet is flushed.
- have a very strong odor
- be difficult to wipe.
- hurt & you shouldn’t have to strain. (Doing so can lead to hemorrhoids, prolapse, and other problems.)
The Bristol Stool Chart
When we consider the form of our poop, the Bristol Stool Chart is a helpful tool. Developed by Stephen Lewis and Ken Heaton at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, the chart is a diagnostic tool that classifies human feces into seven forms.
Cabot Health, Bristol Stool Chart / CC BY-SA
Reading the Signs
Once you notice that you are not having ideal bowel movements, you can start working on a solution. Here are some reasons for the symptoms you may be experiencing.
- Soft poop - may indicate that you are not eating enough fiber.
- Hard poop - may indicate that you need to drink more water.
- Dark poop - could indicate bleeding in the GI tract.
- Light poop - could indicate malabsorption.
- Not frequent - less than one bowel movement a day is a sign of constipation.
- Too frequent - three bowel movements a day is considered diarrhea.
- Smell - poop doesn’t smell great, but it should not smell terrible either. It could be a sign of a heavy toxin burden if it does.
It may be important to work with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these trouble signs. The information above can be a good starting point, but there are many other things these symptoms can indicate (bacteria, parasites, thyroid trouble, etc.).
Squatting
A study by Dov Sikirov found that squatting is one of the most effective positions for eliminating stool without straining. Researchers believe this is because squatting helps relax the pelvic muscles and creates a straighter pathway in the rectum, allowing waste to pass more easily.
The Squatty Potty is a modern toilet stool designed to mimic the squatting position while sitting on a standard toilet. It was created by a family hoping to help a loved one who struggled with constipation.
Beyond its clever design, the brand has become widely known for its educational, humorous, and slightly irreverent commercials that make talking about bathroom habits a little less awkward.
(You can buy the classic 7” white squatty potty here or an adjustable height bamboo squatty potty here.)
It’s not every day that we talk about poop or mystic unicorns, but since our digestion greatly impacts our overall health, maybe we should. I am comfortable talking about these awkward health topics, so bring them up at your next appointment.
Dr. Jamie
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