What’s your poo-sonality?

Traits: Always takes their phone to the loo, a serial scroller that spends 10 minutes or more on the loo during a number two.

What it says: 57% of Brits admit to using their phone on the toilet, but sitting for too long (especially on a hard surface) can increase the risk of haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids are clusters of veins in the anus and lower rectum that help us control our bowels. They become problematic when they get swollen and inflamed. Prolonged sitting is a risk factor because it increases the pressure on the veins in your anus and rectum, which over time can lead to swelling. Plus there’s the risk of transferring harmful bacteria to your phone. Say no more.

Tips: 

• If you’re sitting and scrolling because you’re constipated or finding it hard to poo, check out these tips.
• Keep bathroom time to under 5 minutes. If you can’t poo within a minute or two, come back when the urge returns.
• Clean your phone, then leave it out of the bathroom and focus on the task. 

Traits: Prefers to poo with their "knees up", either propped on a poo stool or a toilet roll under each foot.

What it says: You’re onto something— by raising your knees above your hips helps the puborectalis muscle to fully relax, making it easier to poo. Squatting is considered to be the most natural position for us to poo in, and was the norm until the introduction of modern toilets. In one study, 71 percent of participants pooped faster, and 90 percent reported less straining when using a stool. 

Tips:

• Use a squatty stool to get the benefits.
• Ensure your diet is fibre-rich to make the most of your positioning. 

Traits: You thought you were finished, but the feeling you haven’t emptied your bowels comes back like a boomerang. You make a return to the loo, not long after you’ve left.

What it says: Feeling like you still need to poo even if you’ve just been is often termed ‘incomplete evacuation’. It’s a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome, but can also happen with constipation or when the pelvic floor muscles fail to properly relax.

Tips:

• Make sure you’re eating enough fibre and drinking plenty of fluid to help keep your poo soft and easy to pass.
• Pop your feet up on a stool to help with complete emptying.
• If the above doesn’t help, chat with your G.P. to rule out any underlying gut conditions. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can also assess your pelvic floor function.  

Traits: Ignores the urge to go because well, it’s not the right time, place… and so on  

What it says: We get it - pooing in public places like work, or at a partner or friend’s house can be off putting, but once the urge goes, it can be hours before it returns. Although ignoring nature’s evacuation order can make the urge go away temporarily, it can lead to harder poo as your rectum continues to absorb water, drying it out and making it harder to pass. And over the long term, ignoring the urge to poo can throw off your colon’s natural rhythm.

Tips:

• Remember that everybody poops - it’s normal and necessary.
• When the urge comes, don’t put it off. Practice using public bathrooms, and support yourself with some relaxation exercises or breathing.
• If poo anxiety is impacting your daily life, chat to your G.P. One option that can help is cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a type of talking therapy that can help challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours.  

Traits: You’re committed to a daily performance—no matter what. Even if your body isn't ready, you’re determined to squeeze a poo out on your preferred schedule.

What it says: Obsessing over needing a daily poo can cause unnecessary stress, and stress itself can lead to changes in your gut function.  While daily bowel movements are usual for some, anywhere from three times a week to three times a day is considered normal. Pushing your body to go every day when it’s not ready can lead to discomfort, and straining is a risk factor for haemorrhoids.

Tips:

• Remember that bowel movements can vary widely from person to person, and your own poo won’t be the same every single day. Changes in routine, diet, travel and sleep can all lead to temporary changes in how often you go.
• Listen to your body and avoid forcing a poo if the urge isn’t there. 

Traits: Your digestive system is always on the move and you find yourself heading to the loo multiple times a day—often for urgent, loose or watery poos.  

What it says: Frequent, watery diarrhoea-like poo can be a sign of conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). But stress, certain medications and food intolerances can also trigger these visits.  

Tips: 

• If watery, loose poo has been a long term issue, speak to your GP to rule out conditions like IBS or IBD.
• Keep track of what you’re eating—common triggers include caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol in large quantities.
• If you have IBS, speak to a dietitian about a low FODMAP diet, which can help improve IBS-diarrhoea symptoms.
• Try these tips after ruling out underlying conditions. 

Traits: Always pushing too hard, leaving the bathroom exhausted. 

What it says: Straining when pooing can happen from time to time, but if it’s a regular symptom for you then it’s time to take note. Straining can increase the risk of haemorrhoids and fissures - small tears in the lining of the anus which can be very painful. Straining can be a sign of constipation, or a problem with pelvic floor muscles that have difficulty coordinating contraction and relaxation.  

Tips:

• Use slow relaxed breathing (see the BREATHHHHE tips here).
• If your poo is hard and lumpy, work towards increasing your fibre intake from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and pulses and drink plenty of fluids.
• Try pooing with your knees up on a small step or stool for an easier exit. See the squatter for more info.
• If the above doesn't help, speak to your GP for further advice.

To learn more about other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.