“Why do I have to wipe so much after pooping?” is a common question that many people have. Though toilet paper is relatively inexpensive, no one wants to go through several rolls per week! It can also be extremely frustrating, cause itchiness, or be embarrassing when you feel like something is still there!
Why do I have to wipe so much after I poop?
If you’re a “million wiper”, you’re probably tired of the amount of time you take in the bathroom just trying to clean up. When you find out the cause of your problem, you can begin to make changes.
In saying that, endless wiping after bowel movements can be due to a variety of reasons starting with the consistency of your poop, bowl leakage, and the various issues that cause those symptoms.
Poop Consistency
A little-known fact is that you should not have to wipe much if you have healthy poop. According to naturopathic doctor, Dr. Marisol Teijerio, ND, your poop is one of the best measures of your health. Teijerio states that when wiping, you should ideally have “absolutely nothing on the paper”. Otherwise, they are indicators that you are not eating right, have food sensitivities, stress, or bad bacteria in your gut microbiome.
Loose Stool
Normal, healthy poop is solid, smooth, and soft. According to the Bristol stool chart, this means type 3 or 4 poop; anything softer shows a sign of diarrhea.
Reasons your poop may not be as solid as it should include:
- Lack of fiber
- Excess sugar
- Being on a liquid diet
- A food intolerance
- Laxatives
- Emotional states: stress or anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Gastroenteritis
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Sticky Poop
If you can’t stop wiping after pooping, sticky poop can also be the cause. This type of poop might appear black and tarry or oily and greasy. It is a result of having too much grease and fats in your diet. However, it can also be caused by:
- A sluggish liver
- Malabsorption
- Not digesting fats well
- Pancreatic cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
How can I firm up my stools?
The most common health tip for a healthy digestive system is to increase your water intake. Doctors typically suggest drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
Proper exercise is also a great way to improve overall health. With a healthy body, your digestive system is more likely to work correctly.
It is also important to eat the right foods for your body. Make sure that you are getting enough daily fiber and pay attention to how different foods affect you; this will help you detect any food sensitivities.
There are also natural products that you can use to improve your gut health. These include apple cider vinegar with the mother, foods with probiotics, and fermented foods.
Bowel Leakage
If in the bathroom you experience poop still being there after wiping or the need to rewipe hours later, you might have fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of rectal contents (stool, gas), due to the inability to control bowel movements.
Anal Sphincter Muscles
There are two muscles (interior and exterior) that help you control the release of your stool. Weakened or damaged muscles will result in stool unexpectedly leaking out.
Damage to these muscles can be caused by:
- Childbirth
- Surgery
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Trauma
- Straining during bowel movements
Hemorrhoids
Think of hemorrhoids as a door jamb; these swollen veins in your anus and rectum keep your anus from closing completely. As it is “propped open”, stool can leak out. The most common cause of hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements, but can also be due to:
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- Pregnancy
- Being overweight
How do I stop wiping so hard?
Never-ending wiping is not only annoying, but it can also cause your derriere to get sore and bleed. First and foremost, it’s recommended to make dietary and lifestyle changes that will improve your digestive system.
In the meantime, here are some suggestions to stop wiping so much, avoid the resulting pain, and feel cleaner:
- Buy better toilet paper. Hard toilet papers are more likely to smear poop around, while ones that are too soft will break apart easily. Find a good brand that is absorbent and also tough.
- Use flushable wipes. Using wet wipes will help save your butt from turning red. You can also try to lightly moisten a durable toilet paper.
- Try a bidet. Bidets are used to wash and clean your nether regions (genitalia and butt). You can easily purchase a bidet attachment for your toilet online.
- Take a shower after. If you can’t get a lean wipe after you poop, you can make it a habit to shower after. Many people have a morning or nighttime routine of using the bathroom, then going to shower.
If at any time you feel something just isn’t “normal”, be sure to contact a medical professional.
