What does it mean and is it normal?

Stringy poop is when stool appears thin or narrow, often resembling strips of ribbon. Possible causes include dietary factors, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and infections. Less commonly, it may be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

While it is natural for stool to vary in appearance and consistency, poop that frequently appears stringy may require further medical investigation.

A person’s stool and bowel habits are considered good indicators of overall health. A healthy stool is a couple of inches in diameter, but stringy poop appears much narrower in comparison. It may also be flat, solid, or liquid.

Poop can take on a stringy appearance for many reasons. Here are some of the common reasons for stringy stools.

1. Poor diet

Share on PinterestConsuming an unhealthy diet increases the chance of constipation.

A diet that is low in fiber or fluids increases the chance of constipation. As a result, the stool can be less bulky and shrinks in size, taking on a stringy appearance.

Chronic constipation often leads to blockages that develop in the colon, leading to the passage of thin, stringy stools.

A simple way to counter constipation is to increase intake of fruits and vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereal, beans, and lentils.

Potatoes with the skins on, oats, almonds, and peas are other examples of high-fiber foods to include in your diet.

The American Heart Association recommend a daily intake of 25 grams of fiber, which helps soften the stool and aid bowel movement. The diets of most Americans, however, contain less than half this optimum amount.

2. Intestinal infection

Some bacteria or parasites cause infections in the digestive tract, particularly the intestines. Besides stringy stool, symptoms of intestinal infections include nausea, cramps, fatigue, and weight loss.

In most cases, doctors can easily treat these infections with antibiotics, antiparasitic drugs, or medicines that neutralize stomach acidity. These treatments will both clear up the infection and resolve the issue of stringy stool.

3. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a disorder of the large intestine and could be responsible for changes in a person’s bowel habits. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and persistent discomfort.

The cause of IBS is not fully understood. Among the theories is an oversensitivity of nerves in the intestine, intestinal muscle disorders, and inflammation of the lining of the intestine.

Medicine cannot cure IBS, as yet, but many people experience relief by avoiding triggers and learning to manage their symptoms in other ways.

4. Colorectal cancer

Share on PinterestPeople should talk to their doctor if they find blood in their stool.

Although rare, stringy or narrow stool could be a sign of colorectal cancer. This type of cancer, however, is also accompanied by other symptoms that can include:

• rectal bleeding
• blood in the stool, giving it a dark appearance
• cramping
• abdominal pain
• persistent weakness
• unexplained but noticeable weight loss

If any of these symptoms are present, it is wise to check with a doctor who can confirm or rule out the presence of colorectal cancer and start treatment, accordingly.

Other causes

Other common conditions that are known to cause stringy stool include:

• a stretched or distended colon
• narrowing, or anorectal stricture, between the rectum and anus
• tiny growths or polyps in the colon
• a hard mass of stool stuck in the colon, called fecal impaction
• inflammation of the colon, occurring with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• abdominal hernias

Share on PinterestA doctor may recommend taking a stool sample test to check for bacterial or parasitic infections.

Depending on the frequency of the problem, and the presence of other symptoms, a doctor may need to carry out further investigation to determine the underlying cause of stringy stool.

The doctor will recommend one or more of the following tests:

• stool sample test to detect a bacterial or parasitic infection
• fecal occult test to check for blood in the stool
• imaging tests, such as CT scans or X-ray, with a contrast solution, or barium, to show the digestive tract
• colonoscopy to study the entire colon
• flexible sigmoidoscopy to examine the lower colon

Stringy stool is not usually a cause for concern and tends to resolve on its own.

If it continues for longer than a week and is present alongside other symptoms, people should check with a doctor.

Most cases of this type of stool have a good outlook, especially when diagnosed and treated early.

Causes, Home Treatment, When to See a Doctor

Flat poops can happen due to changes in your diet. Some health conditions, including constipation, can cause long or flat poop. If unexplained changes last a few days, consider talking with a doctor.

Changes in stool consistency and color aren’t uncommon based on what you’ve recently eaten. Sometimes, you may notice that your poop appears especially flat, thin, or string-like. Usually, this variation isn’t cause for worry, and your poop will return to its “normal” appearance shortly after.

However, there are times when consistently flat poops may indicate a more concerning underlying condition. Keep reading to find out what they may be.

A lot of times, your poop looks a lot like your intestines. It’s slightly rounded and lumpy. Flat poop isn’t round. Instead, it’s square or string-like in appearance. Sometimes, you have flat poop along with very loose stool that may include diarrhea.

Flat poop doesn’t have a specific color or frequency. You may notice you experience more flat poops when you’ve changed your diet (such as eaten less fiber). Other times, you may see flat poop in the toilet bowl and can’t link it back to anything you did or didn’t eat.

Here’s what flat poop may look like:

Sometimes, your poop is flat and there’s no underlying cause. Just as your poop can be pebble-sized or different colors, flat poops may be one of the variations you occasionally see. However, if you start having flat poops more often, it may be due to one of the following causes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs due to an interrupted function of your gut and brain. IBS can cause abdominal pain as well as bowel movement changes that include diarrhea, constipation, or both. Those with IBS may experience a variety of stool types, ranging from very large poops to flat ones.

An estimated 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS, so this condition can be a common cause of flat poops and other stool changes.

Constipation

Constipation can be a common cause of flat stool that is usually stringy in consistency. Constipation can occur when you don’t get enough fiber in your diet to add some extra bulk to your stool. As a result, your stool may be thinner, flat, and more difficult to pass.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Sometimes, the cause of flat stool isn’t the intestinal tract itself but something around it. This is the case for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition causes the male prostate gland to enlarge. The prostate is positioned just in front of the rectum and below the bladder.

While BPH more commonly affects urination (such as a weak stream when peeing), some people do have symptoms related to passing stool, such as constipation and stool changes like flat poop.

Colorectal cancer

Although rare, it’s possible that thin stool can indicate colon cancer. This is because a tumor may grow in the colon that keeps your stool from moving through in its normal shape.

While colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause a lot of symptoms in its earliest stages, it can also lead to symptoms including rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or problems emptying your stool.

Other possible causes

Flat poop may also be due to any condition that may affect how stool moves through or exits the colon. Examples include:

• colon polyps
• fecal impaction
• hemorrhoids
• rectal ulcers

Even abdominal hernias can cause enough narrowing of stool movement so that stool may appear flat.

Treatments or remedies for flat poop depend upon what caused your poop to be flat in the first place. Your doctor may recommend keeping a food journal and noting when you have significant stool changes so you can identify the potential foods and drinks that may cause your stool to appear flat.

Other interventions are the same as those commonly used to treat constipation and IBS. Examples include:

• increasing fiber intake by eating more whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables with the skins on whenever possible
• drinking plenty of water to make stools easier to pass
• increasing physical activity, which can help increase stool movement through the body
• taking steps to reduce stress whenever possible, through meditation, journaling, listening to soft music, deep breathing, or other stress-relieving interventions

Some people may also find their stools appear more normal in size when they take probiotics. These are supplements that contains live microorganisms similar to the ones that naturally live in your digestive tract. Probiotics are also present in foods with live and active cultures, such as yogurt and kefir. That said, check the labels before buying to make sure as not all of these foods contain them.

Pencil-thin poop isn’t always cause for concern but you should see your doctor if you are experiencing flat poop and have any of the following symptoms:

• blood in your stool or on the toilet paper
• changes in the consistency of your stool, such as increasing diarrhea
• changes in the frequency of your bowel movements, such as going more or less often
• feeling like you aren’t fully emptying your stool every time
• high fever
• stomach pain or cramping

If you have consistently flat stools for three days or more, it may be time to call your doctor.