Dear Fit,
I only go to the bathroom every two or three days (I'm not talking about peeing), and it's been like this for a couple years. A good friend of mine says that I should be going every day. Is that true? Is not going once a day normal, or is my bathroom schedule harming my body?
— Possible Potty Problem Pam
This is a great question since many women wonder about their regularity. To hear what I have to say read more.
Let me start off by saying that what's normal for one person may be considered constipation for someone else. Some people go to the bathroom three times a day, while others only go as often as you do. Only going a few times a week is no cause for concern unless:
- Constipation is a new problem for you.
- You've noticed blood in your stool.
- You're losing weight even though you're not dieting.
- You strain or have severe pains when you do go to the bathroom.
- Your stools are hard and dry.
- You have constipation that alternates with diarrhea.
- You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor. I don't want to alarm you, but chronic constipation can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome or possibly cancer.
Fit's Tips: To prevent constipation in the first place, drink more water, exercise regularly (that helps to get things moving inside), and increase the fiber in your diet. A woman should be getting between 25 and 30 grams of fiber a day, so that should help you go more often.
Fabi
StyleBop
Diane von Furstenberg
When I was younger, I used to only go once a week. My diet was horrible - lots of sugary cereals, junk food, fast food,soda, hardly any veggies or fruit. No fiber = constipation. I'm sure many kids have this issuenow.
1I had this same problem! Ate junk (lots of diet coke and lean cuisines, funny! I wasn't thin!) For years I would go maybe once or twice a week. When I traveled, it was worse.
I didn't understand that water was a key issue -- I drank water, but I wasn't drinking nearly enough. I drank the 8 glasses a day, but when I upped my intake to a minimum of 96 oz, things moved better.
Also, I ate a lot of my fiber requirements in the form of whole grain bread. While those are good for you, the fiber, water and pectin that comes from fruit (like apples, pears -- ESPECIALLY PEARS) really gets you moving. I once mentioned to my chiropractor that I thought I might have IBS and she told me to add 4 organic pears a day to my diet. I started going TWICE A DAY!
I don't eat quite so many pears these days and now I'm a once a day-er and very happy about it. There may not be anything wrong with only going a couple of times a week, but you feel lighter when you go more often.
2I bet the OP doesn't drink coffee....
/just sayin'
3I have a fairly healthy diet (I eat fruit everyday, lots of muesli, lots of salad, very little meat...) and I don't go everyday either. I should drink more water, and maybe that would help, but ultimately I think every person body is different... Doesn't mean there's anything wrong health-wise...
4Wow... I go 3 - 6 times every day. My metabolism is really fast but I do drink a lot of water. Not too much, but a lot.
5HAHA @ Tidalwave..... Surely not.... That is yet another thing coffee is known for!
6I drink lots of water & eat lots of fruits/veggies and only go about 3x/week. And when I "go" it isn't hard to pass or anything. Like the article says, that isn't indicative of a problem. Oh yeah, I rarely drink coffee. *chuckle*
7It seems unusual to go less than once a day, but I guess if the mayo clinic is okay with it..
I think it has to do with your diet though. I'm with the other poster: when I ate unhealthy, it was less, but eating good foods and proper meals changed my GIT rhythm. I was under the impression that it should be once a day (your body actually has a bowel "housekeeping" that goes through your intestine in a 24-hr cycle, so it makes sense!).
I also drink coffee -- and never know there was this relationship!!
8I'm a once-a-dayer myself... but that could definitely be the coffee talking.
9Exercising regularly helps too! Water, exercise, high-fiber diet, and a good sleep pattern should help regulate things!
10I drink 1/2 a pot of coffee a day. It does nothing for my bathroom business. Water and fruit are where it's at for me.
And I know if I eat pizza, even whole grain crust with not a lot of cheese, I will skip a day.
AND NO FONDU EVER. OUCH.
11Sometimes medications can make things move slower down there as well; especially painkillers and muscle relaxants. Fiber and a LOT of water really helps, but sometimes if you're on a medication like that you need a laxative to get your intestines moving again. Just be sure that you only use them occasionally and don't get dependent on them.
12I take a couple of Fiber Choice tablets every day so I don't have to think so much about getting enough fiber and I find that makes things much easier. I hate having to plot my meals so carefully otherwise and this works well. Fiber One bars are also amazing in this capacity.
13i go 2-3 times a day. if i eat a lot of fiber then maybe 5
14funny enought, i go very well and wuick after mcdonald's
was like that since
childhood and foundit very weird. same with pizza.
15Unless I have food poisioning or some dodgy indian food.. lol.. (then my butt and the toilet have a special 24 hour relationship) i go 1x every 2 days.. and im supper skinny, eat loads and have no issues with down there problems. Some peoples bodies are just different i guess...
16I go every second day. I still don't have any problems.
17A few years ago a friend of mine told me he only went once a week and it totally freaked me out. I go twice a day.
18A couple of years ago I traveled to Germany and Sweden, and I was going twice a day when I was there. I suddenly felt healthy and energetic. I realized that I was: walking/biking everywhere, eating LOTS of fiber, and drinking lots of water and tea.
I've tried to maintain that diet/exercise since I came home, and I've lost weight, feel good, and "go" 1-2x per day. Definitely helps me feel healthy!
19More than once every two days means I'm eating too much.
20Hi i am not able to go to bathroom from past 3 days. everything is normal i don't have any pains or dehydration anything else i am feeling my fitness every thing is normal. i am not noticing any change in my body or health ..but not able to go to bathroom..and this is the time i my menses periods are expected to come.
21please help me with a solution..
i am so much worried..
O.K.— thank you to everyone who said "hearing about someone going less than once a day FREAKED them out.. .—"
I have to go every day, or else i cant work or concentrate. I get sleepy and sluggish.
I eat only fresh fruit, vegetables and grains. Sometimes small servings of meat or cheese, but not much .I buy organic as much as my wallet will allow, especially granola and grains.
But as far as total bathroom assistance, that is also assisted if i go for at least one 20-to-30 min. brisk walk per day.
my advice? walk and drink a lot of water in the morning, and make sure your main diet is "scheduled" more logically; 3 regular times per day, and avoid processed foods. And take a 30 walk, preferably in the morning before breakfast. (oh, yeah, and eat breakfast. a breakfast of -just- fruit will move through you like lightning but energize the heck out of you)
Above ALL of this, it sounds dumb, but check out the book "skinny b*tch". I dont agree with the whole book 100%, but its one of the best dietary books i've read.
Also, Michael Pollen's "eat food, not much, mostly plants" or "in defense of food" are good books too.
regular pooping is important, and at least SOMETHING once a day. it is important to rid ourselves of the rotting putrefying food in our system, especially chemichal/processed food.
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