An unexpected change in your poop can be hard to ignore, especially when it looks sticky. What you eat can affect stool texture, but sticky poop can also happen with certain digestive conditions or poor fat absorption.
It’s worth talking with a doctor if sticky poop persists with other symptoms. Paying attention to your bowel habits can help you spot changes in your digestive health.
Sticky poop, often described as oily, mucous-filled, or dark, can have various causes.1..To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
Diet
Sticky poop can occur if you have trouble digesting or absorbing fats. This leads to steatorrhea, or excess fat in your stool.2 High-fat diets often result in more fat in stools.1
Bile Duct Issues
A blocked bile duct may also lead to sticky poop by interfering with fat absorption. Bile is a digestive enzyme.
When the bile duct is blocked, you may notice bowel movements that float, have a foul smell, and are paler in color.12
Gastrointestinal Issues
Sticky poop also can be a symptom of gastrointestinal issues, including:1345
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Intestinal infections
Food sensitivities
These conditions may sometimes cause mucus in your stool, which can make your stool sticky. This may look like blobs of mucus in the toilet or jelly-like strands of mucus on the stool. Although mucus is produced naturally to help your bowel movements move smoothly through your gastrointestinal tract, it usually is not visible.345
Internal Bleeding
Stool may also be dark, sticky, and tar-like when there’s blood in it. This phenomenon is sometimes called melena. Potential causes of this blood in your stool may include:67
Peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers)
Gastritis (inflammation and damage to the stomach lining)
Cancer of your esophagus, stomach, or colon
Eating dark foods or taking iron supplements can also make stool look darker, but usually this condition is ongoing and causes the blood to turn black because it is digested.67
Your symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause that’s affecting your stool’s consistency. Common symptoms that may be associated with sticky poop include:186
Greasy or shiny stool that sticks to the toilet or toilet paper
Bulky, pale, and foul-smelling stools
Fatty stools that tend to float in the toilet
Black or tarry stools
Jelly-like strands of mucus on the stool
These strategies may help ensure that your poop is no longer sticky:9
Address your diet: If your sticky poop is caused by a high-fat diet, food sensitivities, or another digestive issue, try to improve your eating plan. You can work with a healthcare provider to include more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
Eat more fiber: Most Americans do not eat enough fiber, which can sometimes make sticky poop an even greater issue. Make sure you eat plenty of fiber, which supports digestive health.
Drink plenty of water: Water plays an important role in the consistency of your stool and helps to move waste through the digestive tract. It also combines with fiber to ensure stools have a normal consistency and are easy to pass.
Prioritize physical activity and exercise: Staying active can help promote healthy digestion. It can help reduce inflammation, improve bile function, reduce abdominal pain, and improve how waste moves through the intestines.
Manage stress and anxiety: Research suggests that stress can lead to bowel issues. Stress management may help improve your symptoms. Mindfulness, deep breathing, and yoga may all help.
Having sticky poop from time to time may not be something to worry about. But if this type of poop becomes a pattern, or if you experience other symptoms like bleeding, cramping, and pain, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.137
Signs you need to see a healthcare provider right away include:137
Consistent abdominal pain
Lower back pain
Bleeding from your rectum or in your stool
Noticeable mucus in your stool
Inability to pass gas
Nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Prolonged constipation or diarrhea
Feeling a need to have a bowel movement after having one