Even though everybody poops, talking about it can be quite uncomfortable. However, aspects about your bowel movements (such as the size, color and frequency) can give you some necessary insight into your health.
One of the biggest worries people have generally revolves around the frequency of their bowel movements. Are they pooping too often? Not enough?
The good news is, it turns out there’s no real limitation on what is “normal” when it comes to frequency. For instance, according to a 2008 study, 98% of participants had bowel movements anywhere from 3 times a day, to 3 times a week.
Regardless, most people go to the bathroom about the same time every day/week, and their body is on a schedule.
The truth is, each person’s “routine” is different, since bowel movements are affected by a variety of factors, such as: fluid intake, diet, activity, age, medical conditions, medications, hormones, and social factors (i.e: difficulty pooping in public restrooms).
However, it’s important not to “hold it in” very often – doing so can lower your body’s ability to respond accordingly when it needs to release a bowel movement. This can result in constipation and discomfort.
Generally, if your body sticks to a routine every day/week, this is a normal and healthy sign. However, if you find your body going far away from the routine for a while, this may be an indication of either a stomach or bowel issue.
