If you’ve ever felt the frustration of going to the bathroom and wiping several times, only to still find brown residue on the toilet paper, you’re not alone. This phenomenon, sometimes called “phantom pooping”, is experienced by many people and can be perplexing and annoying.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Even after you’ve passed stool, some remaining fecal matter or mucus clings to the walls of the rectum and anus. With a suboptimal diet and inadequate fiber, stools are often not as solid, allowing some residue to stick.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore all the factors that cause poop to cling to your rectum after bowel movements. We’ll provide tips for reducing excessive wiping and getting cleaner after pooping.

Causes of Lingering Poop Residue

Incomplete Evacuation

Inability to fully empty the bowel after pooping, medically known as incomplete evacuation, is a common cause of residual poop left on toilet paper. This could happen because the stool is too dry and chunky, making it difficult for the anal sphincter muscles to push it out completely (1).

Conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, and nerve damage in the rectal area can also lead to difficulty emptying the bowels fully.

Loose or Unformed Stool

Stool that is too loose, watery, or unformed can be difficult to wipe off cleanly. Diarrhea, infections, inflammation, food sensitivities, and other conditions causing loose stool tend to leave more residue that lingers even after wiping.

Trapped Poop in Anal Folds or Hemorrhoids

Stool can get lodged in the folds of rectal tissue and anal abscesses. External hemorrhoids or polyps may also trap feces particles after a bowel movement. According to doctors on WebMD, straining and prolonged sitting on the toilet can make this trapping of stool worse in people with hemorrhoids (2).

Excess Mucus

Increased mucus production in the digestive tract and rectal inflammation can leave mucus in the anus, potentially causing a sensation of uncleanliness. This mucus may mix with very loose stool, making it more difficult to wipe off residue completely. Some reasons for excess anal mucus include:

  • Irritation and swelling in the rectum
  • Infection
  • Ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel disease
  • Rectal prolapse

Dietary Issues Leading to Excessive Wiping

Not Enough Fiber

Consuming inadequate fiber is one of the most common reasons for needing to wipe repeatedly after a bowel movement. Fiber helps add bulk to stools and allows them to hold more water, making them easier to pass. Without enough fiber, stools can be hard, dry and difficult to fully eliminate.

According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, most Americans only get about half of the recommended daily fiber intake. Increasing fiber can help improve stool consistency and decrease wiping time.

Too Much Dairy

While dairy products provide protein and calcium, consuming too much dairy can lead to loose, urgent stools that necessitate prolonged wiping sessions. This is because many people lack sufficient lactase enzymes needed to properly digest lactose found in dairy.

One 2021 study found that 61% of the world population has some degree of lactose malabsorption. If stools contain undigested lactose, excess wiping may be needed.

Artificial Sweeteners and Laxatives

Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and magnesium-containing antacids can draw water into the intestines, causing loose bowel movements. The laxative effects of sweeteners are often unpredictable and lead to urgency and excessive wiping.

According to the FDA, the acceptable daily intake levels account for these laxative effects, but individual tolerances vary.

Food Intolerances

Food intolerances occur when the body lacks enzymes or transporters to properly digest certain foods. Two of the most common intolerances are to gluten and FODMAPs.

A 2021 survey found that 83% of people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity have experienced bowel irregularities like loose stools and diarrhea. FODMAP intolerances can cause similar symptoms.

If stools from food intolerances are loose, urgent or contain undigested elements, wiping can become annoyingly prolonged and frequent.

Other Factors Contributing to Messy Bowel Movements

Straining Too Much

Pushing too hard while having a bowel movement can lead to stool getting messier and more difficult to clean up properly. Excessive straining causes the stool to spread out and smear more inside the anus and on the way out.

The extra pressure can even lead to small tears called anal fissures that make using the bathroom afterwards more unpleasant.

Doctors recommend not sitting on the toilet for more than 5-10 minutes and avoiding straining as much as possible. Other tips include placing a small step stool in front of the toilet so your knees are above your hips, leaning forward to straighten out the anorectal angle, and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles when trying to pass stool.

Infrequent Bowel Movements

When you don’t have a bowel movement often enough, the stool spends more time in your colon and loses moisture. This leads to harder, bulkier stools that can be messier to pass.

Experts recommend aiming to poop 1-2 times per day, as this indicates a healthy digestive system. Tips to prevent or treat constipation include drinking more fluids, exercising regularly, and eating more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Anal Fissures or Internal Hemorrhoids

Painful anal conditions like fissures (small tears in the anus lining) or hemorrhoids (swollen veins inside the anus) can also contribute to messier bowel movements.

The pain or irritation may cause straining or make it harder to fully pass and clean up stool. Additionally, blood from tears/hemorrhoids can leave traces of red on the stool and tissue paper. Treating the underlying issue can improve bathroom experiences.

Certain Health Conditions

Some chronic diseases and gut issues can frequently cause messy poops as well:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – Stools may be loose, urgent, or variable consistency.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Diarrhea, narrow stools are common.
  • Celiac disease – Can lead to pale, loose, greasy stools from nutrient malabsorption.
  • Diverticulosis – Small pouches in the colon can collect stool and fluids.

If messy bowel movements occur frequently or other concerning symptoms arise, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation. Based on test results, they may recommend changes to your diet, medications, probiotics, stress management, and other therapies.

Website URL
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases
American Gastroenterological Association https://gastro.org/patient-care

Tips for Cleaner, Drier Pooping

Eat More Fiber

Fiber is crucial for healthy bowel movements. Soluble fiber soaks up water in your digestive tract and helps form soft, bulky stool that is easy to pass. Men should aim for 30-38 grams of fiber per day, while women need 21-25 grams daily (1).

Some great high fiber foods include oatmeal, chia seeds, berries, avocados, beans, lentils, and whole grains. Gradually increase your fiber intake and be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent constipation.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough fluids is key for regular bowel movements. Water and other liquids help keep stool soft and easy to pass. Aim for around 2 liters (68 oz) of total fluids per day (2). In addition to water, drinks like coffee, tea, broths, juice, milk, and herbal teas all contribute to your fluid intake.

Try Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics are beneficial gut bacteria that support digestive health, while prebiotics are fibers that feed these healthy bacteria (3). Getting adequate probiotics and prebiotics helps ensure you have a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.

Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are all great probiotic sources. Good prebiotic foods include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and oats.

Consider Stool Bulking Agents

Stool bulking agents like psyllium husk are supplements that can soak up water in your colon and make stools easier to pass. Studies show psyllium supplements increase stool weight and moisture content, aiding complete bowel emptying (4).

If you struggle with constipation or cleaning after bowel movements, ask your doctor about trying a stool bulker like psyllium or methylcellulose.

Improve Toilet Posture

The squatting position straightens the anorectal angle and allows for more complete bowel emptying compared to sitting on a toilet. If possible, use a squat toilet or footstool to elevate your feet to mimic squatting. This position causes less straining for more thorough bowel movements (5).

Gently Exfoliate the Anus

Gently exfoliating with a wet wipe after bowel movements can help remove residue that leads to skid marks. Look for wipes with soothing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and witch hazel. Always wipe front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to the urethra or vagina.

Use Moist Toilet Paper or Wipes

Dry toilet paper can leave behind remnants of stool. Using moist toilet paper or wipes helps you fully clean the anus. Pre-moistened wipes are ideal, but you can also dampen regular toilet paper with water. Be sure to only flush toilet paper to avoid plumbing issues.

When to See a Doctor

Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea

If you are experiencing chronic or persistent constipation or diarrhea that lasts for weeks, it’s important to consult a physician to determine the underlying cause (Healthline). Frequent constipation or diarrhea can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances over time.

A doctor can perform tests to diagnose potential gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or bowel obstruction.

In addition to dietary changes, increased fluids or fiber intake, the doctor may prescribe medications or recommend seeing a specialist like a gastroenterologist to help manage chronic bowel issues and improve quality of life.

Visible Blood in Stool

Noticing visible blood in your stool, ranging from bright red to very dark maroon, warrants urgent medical care. Rectal bleeding signifies potential abnormalities or damage in the lower digestive tract that should be properly examined.

Causes can include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, infection, polyps or even colorectal cancer in rare cases. After assessing your medical history and symptoms, the doctor will likely order diagnostic tests like a colonoscopy or endoscopy to visualize the colon and determine where bleeding is originating from.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Consult your physician if you experience a prolonged unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds or more without any changes in diet, exercise routine or medications. Losing weight without trying can result from malabsorption disorders, cancers, hyperthyroidism, depression or other underlying illness.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood tests or imaging scans to diagnose any condition leading to weight loss. Based on results, you may be referred to digestive health specialists, endocrinologists or nutritionists to develop a suitable treatment plan.

Family History of Colorectal Cancer

People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at higher risk of developing this disease (American Cancer Society). Guidelines recommend beginning colon cancer screening earlier by age 40, or 10 years before the youngest diagnosis in your immediate family.

Your doctor can advise on appropriate screening tests based on your age and family history, including colonoscopies, at-home stool tests for blood, or CT colonography. Detecting and removing precancerous polyps or early-stage cancers greatly improves survival chances.

Conclusion

Feeling like you can never completely clean yourself after a bowel movement can negatively impact comfort and self-confidence. With a few lifestyle adjustments like eating more fiber, staying hydrated, and improving toilet posture, you may be able to achieve one-wipe perfection.

If excessive wiping persists despite dietary and behavioral changes, consult your doctor to rule out any underlying gastrointestinal issues. Proper treatment can help you get back to cleaner, more pleasant pooping.

Similar Posts