What Does Stringy Poop Mean? Causes & What to Do

Key takeaways:

• Normal poop is most often soft, smooth, and sausage-like. Changes in the way your body processes food can result in stringy poop.
• There are many causes of stringy poop, most of which are not concerning. These may include eating diets very high in fiber, following a vegetarian diet, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Narrowing in the colon can also cause stringy poop which appears very thin and narrow. This can be a sign of something more serious. You should consider seeing your doctor if you are experiencing weight loss, blood in your stool, or stomach pains with stringy poop.

Your poop is a significant indicator of your overall health, and your bowel habits are one of the first things to change when you start to get sick. You may notice that illness changes the shape or consistency of your poop.

Understanding what may cause your poop to be stringy and when to be concerned can help relieve stress caused by this symptom.

What is stringy poop and is it normal?

Your poop may look different at times and depends on many factors, including diet, water intake, and exercise. Poop can be of various sizes, colors, and textures.

Normal, healthy poop most commonly looks smooth and sausage-like. Stringy poop may look like it has strands or threads, or it may be very narrow and pencil-like.

Causes of stringy poop

Many of the leading causes of stringy poop are not concerning and are often related to day-to-day factors. Here are some of the common causes that may explain why you have stringy poop.

Diet and fiber intake

Everything you eat impacts how your body reacts and the poop that forms. Eating a lot of fibrous foods, mainly vegetables, may cause strings to be present in your poop.

Eating a low-fiber diet may also result in smaller poops due to forming poop with less bulk. Eating a well-balanced diet improves your gut health and is best for forming normal poop.

Constipation

Constipation is when you have to strain to poop and is the result of hard stool. You may poop smaller, narrower stools when you are constipated. Medications, irritable bowel syndrome, and general gut health may cause constipation.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the intestines that causes difficulty with the digestion of foods, which can result in diarrhea, constipation, or both. Poor digestion of foods may cause your poop to look stringy.

Inflammation and stricturing

Infections or gut inflammation may result in scarring and bowel narrowing, which is called stricturing. This is mainly seen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) or diverticulitis.

However, any disease that causes long-term inflammation can result in a narrowing of the bowel. As your poop goes through the tight area, it becomes more slender or pencil-like.

Colon or rectal cancer

Similar to inflammation and stricturing, colon or rectal cancer may cause a narrowing as stool passes.

One significant sign of left-sided cancers is slender stools due to this tightening. However, there are often other signs of cancer, including weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, or bloody stools.

What stringy poop may mean based on appearance, consistency, or another symptom or condition

While looking at your poop may be unpleasant, it can give you a lot of information about how your body is processing food. It can also tip you off early when something concerning may be starting:

• White stringy poop: If you find long white strands in your poop, this may be a worm, and you should consider seeing a doctor for further evaluation.
• Hard stringy poop: When your poop is very hard to pass and is thin, this can be a sign of constipation.
• Loose stringy poop: IBS may lead to loose stringy poop due to difficulty with digestion of foods.
• Stringy poop with mucus: Any disease that irritates your bowels may increase mucus production. Digestion also changes due to the irritation, which may lead to stringy poop with mucus.
• Long stringy poop: Eating diets very high in fiber or following a vegetarian diet may lead to long stringy poop as your body is unable to break down the collagen fibers in these foods.
• Short stringy poop: IBS may lead to short stringy poop due to difficulty with digestion of foods.
• Stringy poop while pregnant: Pregnancy leads to changes in the levels of many hormones in your body and may change your bowel habits. Some people may experience constipation or diarrhea, and this may ultimately lead to stringy poop.

Read our guides on different types of stool, stool colors, and healthy vs. unhealthy stool for more.

When to see a doctor about stringy poop

Experiencing stringy poop is often not a cause for alarm. Still, there are a few concerning signs you should be aware of when considering seeing a doctor or going to the emergency room.

You should see a doctor if you have stringy poop with the following:

• You are losing weight without trying.
• You notice blood in your poop.
• You are having stomach pains.
• You have a constant feeling of being tired.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have a large amount of blood in your poop.
• You were pooping thin stools but suddenly are not able to poop at all.
• You notice that your stomach is getting larger.
• You are unable to eat or keep any liquids down.

Questions to ask your doctor about stringy poop

• Should I be concerned about the stringy poop that I’m experiencing?
• How long will I continue to have stringy poop, and how can I prevent it?
• Should I have a colonoscopy?
• Are there other options for colon cancer screening besides a colonoscopy?

How to prevent, stop, or treat stringy poop

Most of the causes of stringy poop can be treated simply by increasing fiber and water intake, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising.

When caused by a narrowing of the intestine due to inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, or cancer, these may need to be managed surgically, and you should discuss this with your doctor.

Dietary fiber

Fiber is responsible for bulking up the stool and keeping your colon healthy. High-fiber diets can help prevent diverticulosis and reduce your risk of colon cancer. Dietary fiber that is eaten is better than supplemental fiber. It is recommended that you take in around 25-30 grams per day of dietary fiber.

Hydration

Drinking plenty of water helps maintain the softness of your poop so that it is easier to pass. It is essential to drink lots of water if you have a diet high in fiber, as fiber draws water into your stool. If you eat a high-fiber diet and don't drink enough water, this can cause constipation.

Exercise

It may seem surprising that regular exercise can help keep your gut healthy, but physical activity makes your intestines move things through more quickly. This helps prevent constipation and keeps you pooping more regularly.

Frequently asked questions: stringy poop

Is stringy poop a sign or symptom of diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is caused by inflammation of the colon. Repeated episodes of diverticulitis may cause scarring that results in a narrowing on the inside of the colon. As poop passes through, it becomes more slender and can cause stringy poop.

What if you’ve had stringy poop for weeks or months?

If you have made changes to your diet and fiber and water intake but continue to have stringy poop, you should consider talking with a doctor. There may be another reason that is not being addressed, including ongoing inflammation or a narrowing of your intestine.

What foods or drinks cause stringy poop?

Stringy poop is generally caused by very high fiber intake as your body cannot process the vegetable fiber. However, if you have certain foods that irritate your intestines, this may cause a change in bowel habits and can result in stringy poop as well.

Managing stringy poop

It can be concerning when you first notice a change in your poop, but stringy poop is often not a significant problem. You may be able to manage it by paying more attention to your diet, fiber intake, and water intake.

However, if you have stringy poop that is associated with pain, bleeding, or weight loss, you should discuss this with your doctor. You may also consider seeing a doctor if you have ongoing stringy poop even after modifying your diet and water intake. Lastly, you should pay attention to your pooping habits as this can give some tips into what is going on with your body.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Pallabi Sanyal-Dey, MD.

Sources

“Fiber in the Diet.” Adult Advisor. 2023.3. Change Healthcare LLC, 2023, https://accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/patientEdHandouts.aspx?gbosID=250796.

Friedman, Sonia, and Richard S. Blumberg. "Inflammatory Bowel Disease." Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e Eds. Joseph Loscalzo, et al. McGraw-Hill Education, 2022, https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3095&sectionid=265428110.

Lee, Linda A., and Eugenie Shieh. "Constipation." Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine, 2e Eds. Sylvia C. McKean, et al. McGraw-Hill Education, 2017, https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1872&sectionid=146976018.

Owyang, Chung. "Irritable Bowel Syndrome." Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e Eds. Joseph Loscalzo, et al. McGraw-Hill Education, 2022, https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3095&sectionid=265428379.