Learn about the possible causes and implications of passing narrow stool.
Hint: It could be related to your pelvic floor.
Experts in This Article
gastroenterologist and author ofWhats Your Poo Telling You?
Thats why your stools are an invaluable resource for pelvic floor therapists (and you).
Pencil-thin stool can be indicative of tension within your pelvic floor muscles, she says.
How do you fix narrow stools?
gastroenterologist and author ofWhat’s Your Poo Telling You?
With that in mind, here are some ways you might release and strengthen your pelvic floor.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
If there is no change, see a doctor to rule out something more serious.
This works because of how closely related the belly and pelvic floor muscles are.
You may not feel anything in your pelvic floor at first, but thats okay.
Continue anyways, eventually bringing the breath with you on the toilet.
According to Dr. Rorabeck, it can help boost a healthier bowel movement.
You wont need weights, just a foam roller and patience.
Instead of performing a Kegel, Bromley says to focus six inches below your belly button.
gastroenterologist and author ofWhat’s Your Poo Telling You?
Thats your pelvic floor lifting, she explains.
Thats your transverse abdominals.
Once youve located your pelvic floor and transverse abdominals, its time to breathe while keeping those two connections.
For this exercise, you want to avoid sending the breath into the belly.
Think instead about sending that deep inhale into the back of your ribcage, Bromley says.
Sitting normally on a toilet can constrict the rectum, leading to thin poop.
Your poop has more room to move through the rectum, making it easier to pass.
Progressively narrower or thinner stools can be a sign of rectal cancer blocking evacuation, says Dr. Sheth.
Bottom line (pun intended), your poop should be apart of your conversation with your doctor.
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