Is Holding Your Poop Bad For You?
Short answer
Holding in your poop is unhealthy. It can lead to discomfort and long-term constipation.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Everyone poops. It is a fact of life and regular bowel movements are essential to good health. When you feel the urge to go and you try to resist, you could develop constipation—which is painful, unhealthy, and in some cases can lead to additional ailments. In extreme cases, even death has resulted from withholding stool. Holding in your poop can result in an enlarged bowel which can compress organs and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Stool withholding is more common among children than adults and is often a pain response to constipation. Adults will typically withhold stool when the urge to go comes at an inconvenient time. Women are more likely than men to put off going poop, due to concerns over sanitation, embarrassment, or discomfort in a public environment. Everyone has a different scheduled need to go and can vary from daily to a few days between poops.
Poop is your body’s waste material, in combination with bacteria and water resulting from the digestive process. When you hold in your poop, the stool returns from the rectum into the colon. More water is absorbed and the poop is stored until the next time you need to go. The longer the poop remains stored in your colon, the more water is absorbed making it more difficult to go. This can also cause the reshaping of your bowels if done constantly over an extended period of time. The longer the waste stays in your body, the worse you will begin to feel. Many people turn to laxatives to alleviate constipation. Though these can be a life saver during occasional constipation---they run a risk of addiction. When you become addicted to laxatives, your body essentially ‘forgets’ how to naturally have a bowel movement without the laxative. It can also strip your body of essential nutrients in the digestive process if food moves too quickly through the body. It is a good idea to avoid laxatives, except for occasional use. Holding your poop in every once in a while should be ok, but if you’re doing it all the time you may be creating problems for yourself.
You should try to poop whenever you feel the urge. For those ladies concerned with issues of sanitation in public restrooms or embarrassment, consider bringing antibacterial wipes and a small container of body spray in your purse. Keep in mind—everybody poops!
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- reshaping of bowels
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stretch of rectum walls
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slower bowel movements
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laxative addiction
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heart attack
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 05-04-2016
Last updated: 12-08-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 05-04-2016
Last updated: 12-08-2023
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