Question 1

how big of a problem is it if i only have a bowel movement every 4 to 7 days?

Accepted Answer

Not normal...: The normal range of bm frequency is from 3 stools bms per day to 1 bm every 3 days.  Your frequency falls outside the range of normal.  The longer the stool sits in the colon is associated with greater risk of colon cancer.  I suggest you eat more fiber, get more active, drink more water or use a gentle laxative to have more frequent bms.  You may want to see a gastroenterologist. Good luck!

Question 2

suddenly my bowel movements are shaped repeatedly like a series of fairly large round meatballs. should i be concerned? what to do? appreciate your explanation & advice?

Accepted Answer

: Bowel movement shape, size, texture, color, etc. is often due to dietary changes. If there are no other symptoms, then try to keep the diet consistent and see if the bowel movements go back to normal. If there is still concern, or if there are symptoms like pain, constipation, etc., then see your doctor for further evaluation and possibly treatment. Good luck!

Question 3

my bowel movements seem to have changed recently (maybe two years). i have to go more frequently and when i do, only produce a small amount. yet i feel like i have a big need. what can be going on?

Accepted Answer

: See your doctor for a full exam and other studies if necessary. Good Luck

Question 4

bowel movements have become irregular in the last months. sometimes they are quite large and sometimes they are just pebbles. usually once every 3 days. not sure why its so inconsistent. increased fibre, berries, and water have had no impact. help?

Accepted Answer

: Add exercise, and a stool softener or psyllium and see if you improve. You can slowly wean off these when you become OK. If not pl see your MD

Question 5

lost a lot of weight and have minimal bowel movements for almost two months. i have a very small appetite. what could this be? is this a big concern?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor!: Yeah, go see a doctor! Online chat will not confirm anything. Any night sweats? Fatigue? Nausea? See a doc and have some labs run!

Question 6

i need help! what i thought was just a tear in my anus has created much more of a severity. the past few days i have noticed large amount of pain from my anus, along with extreme discomfort when having a bowel movement. now i will inform you that i typica

Accepted Answer

Fissure in ano: It sounds as if you may have an anal fissure.  This can be incredibly painful and could also be infected.  You should apply warm compresses or sit in hot water 4-6 times a day, dry off thoroughly and apply a soothing ointment after each soak.  Though you can take Tylenol, (acetaminophen) you will most likely need to see a doctor to get more help for the muscle spasm that is causing the severe pain.

Question 7

why does a large hard bowel movement cause bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhoid/fissure: As the stool passes through the rectum and the anus, it can irritate internal hemorrhoids if they are present, or create a 'cut' in the lining of the anus, called a fissure.  Both can bleed, and be precipitated by passage of a large hard stool.

Question 8

is your stomach supposed to hurt when you take big bowel movements!?

Accepted Answer

That can occur: - especially if constipated. Take care.

Question 9

what do i do if my bowel movements are to big that it makes my anus bleed?

Accepted Answer

Constipation: You appear to have a type of "constipation" in where your stools are large enough to cause pain and bleeding. Increase your fluids, regulate your diet with foods that improve the consistency of your stools and regulate you, like fruits and fiber, and if needed a stool softener may even be needed. So see a Dr. for an evaluation and treatment plan that can be developed for you!  Best wishes.

Question 10

is it normal to have some large bowel movements and some small thinner ones ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Your bowel movements depend on your fluid intake, your fiber intake, your protein and sugar intake each of which varies from day to day and from meal to meal.

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Doctor answers about:

Why are my bowel movements so large

A member asked:

How big of a problem is it if i only have a bowel movement every 4 to 7 days?

A member asked:

Suddenly my bowel movements are shaped repeatedly like a series of fairly large round meatballs. should i be concerned? what to do? appreciate your explanation & advice?

A member asked:

My bowel movements seem to have changed recently (maybe two years). i have to go more frequently and when i do, only produce a small amount. yet i feel like i have a big need. what can be going on?

A member asked:

Bowel movements have become irregular in the last months. sometimes they are quite large and sometimes they are just pebbles. usually once every 3 days. not sure why its so inconsistent. increased fibre, berries, and water have had no impact. help?

A member asked:

Lost a lot of weight and have minimal bowel movements for almost two months. i have a very small appetite. what could this be? is this a big concern?

A member asked:

I need help! what i thought was just a tear in my anus has created much more of a severity. the past few days i have noticed large amount of pain from my anus, along with extreme discomfort when having a bowel movement. now i will inform you that i typica

A member asked:

Why does a large hard bowel movement cause bleeding?

A member asked:

Is your stomach supposed to hurt when you take big bowel movements!?

A member asked:

What do i do if my bowel movements are to big that it makes my anus bleed?

A member asked:

Is it normal to have some large bowel movements and some small thinner ones ?

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