Gm sh*t heads.
Everybody poops, some more than others. Even though everyone is different, there are some universal truths to how often you should be dropping deuces. Let’s dive in.
What’s Considered “Normal”?
A 2023 study involving 14,573 adult Americans revealed the following poop frequency stats:
Poop frequency | Percentage of participants |
|---|---|
1–2 times a week | 3.3% |
3–6 times a week | 12.1% |
7 times a week | 53% |
8–21 times a week | 30.4% |
More than 21 times a week | 1.2% |
The goldilocks zone is 1-2x per day. Anything less than 3x per week is considered constipation territory.
Age Breakdown
Generally speaking, the older you get the less often you’ll be pooping.
Group | Avg. Poops/Week |
|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) | ~22 |
Children (1-4) | ~11 |
Adults (18-65) | 7-14 |
Seniors (65+) | 5-10 |
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Poop Frequency Factors
Remember: You are what you eat….AND POOP.
Not only do humans vary genetically, our diets and lifestyles vary greatly as well. How often you poop is dependent on what you eat and do on a daily basis. Here are some of the most common factors:
Dietary Fiber
Consistently eating fibrous fruits and vegetables leads to an additional ~1.2 BMs/week on average; psyllium alone adds +3 BMs/weekFluid Intake
Dehydration leads to drier, slower passing of stools.Physical Activity
Moderate daily exercise has shown to increase the speed at which stools are passed compared to when sedentary.Hormones
Progesterone dominance during pregnancy slows gut motility by relaxing intestinal muscles, often leading to constipation and reduced BM frequency.Medications
Constipation is a commonly reported side effect for medications like opioids, iron supplements, and PPIs.Stress
Stress has been shown to both increase and decrease BM frequency depending on the individual.
Pooping Too Much? Or Too Little? Try These
If You’re Pooping Too Often (≥4 × day)
Cut irritants like artificial sweeteners, excess caffeine, and spicy foods.
Add soluble fiber like psyllium husk to slow transit.
Hydrate smarter by adding electrolytes to plain water.
Rule out infection/IBS with your clinician.
If You’re Not Pooping Enough (≤2 × week)
Fiber-load - aim for 25–38 g/day.
Move your booty by going for a 30 min brisk walk per day.
Magnesium citrate/glycinate supplementation
Track triggers with a poop log
See a pro if you feel like you’re hitting a workout every time you try to pass a stool.
TL;DR
Once–twice daily is the optimal BM frequency
Fiber, water, and movement are the holy trinity of stool regularity
Extreme diets will lead to extreme BM patterns
Track patterns to spot issues early—there’s an app for that 😎
💩 SH*TTY MEMEZ 🤣
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That’s all for today, PoopMates. Go, fertilize the Earth. The planet needs you.
DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.