Thank you for your question. We are so glad to hear that you found our guide on constipation to be helpful! Poop amount, shape, color, and frequency really depends on the person. However, there are two opposites of constipation and diarrhea. A person’s normal bowel movements usually is somewhere in between. Figuring out what is normal or not, really depends on the person. Diarrhea may occur when someone experiences a change in their daily bowel movements – and usually it means 3 or more loose/watery stools per day, including less formed stool and more frequent bathroom trips. It’s important to note, you can stool multiple times a day and still be constipated if they are hard and small (like hard pellets).

Normal bowel movements, really depend on you and what your bowel movements look like (literally). There isn’t a magic number of recommended bowel movements per day or per week. Some people may poop anywhere from three times per day or three times per week, both can be normal depending on the person. If you aren’t sure, try keeping track of your poops for a week or two. Write down when you go, how much you go, and what the poops look like.

However, it is important to mention that frequent constipation and diarrhea is not normal. A lot of different things can affect your poops, including diet and exercise. If you experience pain, bloating, fullness before/during/after a bowel movement, or if there’s blood in your stool, it’s a good idea to talk to your health care provider. Some people may feel embarrassed talking about poop, but remember everybody poops so this is something health care providers talk about all the time.