Interesting to read about the range of reactions. DH is the IBS end of the spectrum, often suffers bowel and bladder urgency, especially in new or unfamiliar circumstances.
Mine all close up unless they are in familiar circumstances.
When I start a new job, or visit a new site, there will be a period of time when all bowel related activity just closes down. At some point, i will feel the urge and know that my body is now used to this new location.
On holiday, I have to be quite careful as left to themselves my bowels would close up for the duration. A careful regime of lots of bulky vegetables, good strong espresso and drinking senna pods tea last thing at night can usually combine to keep me regular.
On our first holiday together, years ago before I had worked out how to manage things, I still felt a bit shy sharing a small apartment with now DH, in the first weeks as s couple. My bowels had decided not to join in the holiday and held them selves aloof for the first few days. I was just beginning to feel a tad uncomfortable, when....
We had been driving around in the hire car, I had forgotten something , possibly sunglasses. Eventually 2BDH dropped me off at our apartment for me to run in and get them, I expected to be out again in seconds.
The minute I crossed the threshold, I could feel my bowels saying hey, we have the place to ourselves, let's party on down.
I thought it was an very promising sign that he didn't even comment on how long I had been, given I said I would just pick up my glasses.
It took decades before we could honestly come anywhere near talking about state of our bowels.
True love 🤭