Question 1

why does poop get harder the longer it stays inside the body?

Accepted Answer

Loss of water: Colon absorbs water from stool and it if sits in the colon it will get dehydrated and hard. 
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 2

is really long poo (feces) normal? (slightly longer the size of a pencil)

Accepted Answer

Yes, unless change: Bowel habits have a wide range of 'normal'. Frequency may be twice daily to energy other day. Comsistency can be loose (not watery) to firm (not hard). Length can vary (pencil length can be normal) as can diameter. Shape can vary. Color can be from dark tan (not chalky) to dark (not black). Most important issue regarding 'normal' is if there is a change in pattern for over 1-2 wks, then c ur doc.

Question 3

hi i took the morning after pill at 2pm today  and didnt go toilet untill half 9 ( poo btw ) im wondering if this is okay or should i have waiting a longer time my friend told me she waiting 24 hours this my first time and im worried that i messed up?

Accepted Answer

ECP: I am not sure what the concern is.  An  oral emergency contraceptive should be taken as soon after the episode of sexual intercourse as possible for maximum effectiveness.  It is alright to urinate or defecate after ingestion.

Question 4

sometimes i have to poop but im not in a situation where i can go(on a jobsite) and when i finally reach a bathroom i no longer have the urge. advice?

Accepted Answer

Regular Regeime: Important to have a regular regiems of defecation.   Suggest you try to find some time after breakfast sitting for a bit to allow the colon and rectum do what it's meant to do!

Question 5

i have mucus without poop a lot, but still regular bowl movements    i most days have movements lasting 45 minutes or longer.

Accepted Answer

See doctor: You need to consult a GI specialist to find out what is going on with your bowel since it appears that you may have an inflammatory bowel disease or malabsorption issue.

Question 6

hey doctor my child is 4 weeks now and i started giving her a formula yesterday,i am no longer breastfeeding her,so today she pooped only once and it was a small poop is like she is struggling to poop,what can i do to assist her??

Accepted Answer

: A change to formula will cause a change in stooling. Just give it more time.

Question 7

if i push my anus inside with toilet paper is it normal to get a touch of poop on it? is there poop staying inside the anus after bm that can come out with pressure? i had a 3rd degree tear when giving birth and can no longer tell what's normal?

Accepted Answer

: After a vaginal delivery there is often a loss of support around the posterior vagina overlying the rectum (a rectocele). This can lead to incomplete evacuation of stool during BM and the stool may be expelled with pressure on the posterior vagina. The principle concern with a 3rd degree tear would be fecal incontinence, which is not what you are describing.

Question 8

recently, i've started to poop every 48hrs instead of my usual 24-36hrs. but now when i go, it's still loose even with longer transit time. also added more fiber to diet/new probiotic. could diet/probiotic explain the loose stool/longer transit time?

Accepted Answer

: Maybe/not. What you poop does not always represent all that is present in your large bowel or retain the same sequence that it entered. Sometimes you have old harder stool backed up that newer material swirls around and exits. An exam and x-rays are often necessary to exclude this "log jam" effect.

Question 9

the lower part of my leg, ankle, and all my toenails are a yellowish-orangish color. i noticed this about two days ago, not sure if its been longer. for around 1.5 years ive felt constipated (not getting all poop out), could these be related?

Accepted Answer

: The two are unlikely to be related. It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. It would be prudent to see a doctor. Wish you good health!

Question 10

since having kids, ive noticed it takes longer or more wipes to wipe clean after a bowel movement. what cause this?

Accepted Answer

Body changes: Dietary changes and digestive changes can change the consistency of stool. As we age changes in the anus can also occur. If you are concerned consider seeing a colorectal surgeon who can do an exam and make sure all is normal.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can poo stay long inside you

A member asked:

Why does poop get harder the longer it stays inside the body?

A member asked:

Is really long poo (feces) normal? (slightly longer the size of a pencil)

A member asked:

Hi i took the morning after pill at 2pm today and didnt go toilet untill half 9 ( poo btw ) im wondering if this is okay or should i have waiting a longer time my friend told me she waiting 24 hours this my first time and im worried that i messed up?

A member asked:

Sometimes i have to poop but im not in a situation where i can go(on a jobsite) and when i finally reach a bathroom i no longer have the urge. advice?

A member asked:

I have mucus without poop a lot, but still regular bowl movements i most days have movements lasting 45 minutes or longer.

A member asked:

Hey doctor my child is 4 weeks now and i started giving her a formula yesterday,i am no longer breastfeeding her,so today she pooped only once and it was a small poop is like she is struggling to poop,what can i do to assist her??

A member asked:

If i push my anus inside with toilet paper is it normal to get a touch of poop on it? is there poop staying inside the anus after bm that can come out with pressure? i had a 3rd degree tear when giving birth and can no longer tell what's normal?

A member asked:

Recently, i've started to poop every 48hrs instead of my usual 24-36hrs. but now when i go, it's still loose even with longer transit time. also added more fiber to diet/new probiotic. could diet/probiotic explain the loose stool/longer transit time?

A member asked:

The lower part of my leg, ankle, and all my toenails are a yellowish-orangish color. i noticed this about two days ago, not sure if its been longer. for around 1.5 years ive felt constipated (not getting all poop out), could these be related?

A member asked:

Since having kids, ive noticed it takes longer or more wipes to wipe clean after a bowel movement. what cause this?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?