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Original poster

Is using a LOT of toilet paper a sign something is really wrong with your gut health? How much do you use?

138 replies

weirdgrossbodies · 14/10/2023 19:59

Not a poo troll, just at a loss as to where I can ask this. Can't imagine asking my friends. Have googled and somewhat alarmed to see that "on average" people use 6 - 8 sheets per visit to the loo, and that a number two takes an average person 3 wipes to be clean?

I thought my gut was healthy as no stomach issues, pain or anything else, regular habits etc. Things go out of whack before my period but assumed that was normal with the hormones.

But erm I use way more toilet paper for a number two? As in 15 - 20 sheets. I do have some OCD traits (as mentioned by NHS doctor not me, but not enough for an OCD diagnosis) so wonder if this is partly to do with it. But I definitely would not be properly clean at all with 3 wipes.

Is this a massive red flag my digestive system is actually sick and out of whack - that I must have "silent" food intolerances or an illness?

I have a lot of cancer in my family, including bowel cancer, and am just worried now my gut is damaged and I haven't been aware and should get a colonoscopy or something.

OP posts:
LusaBatoosa · 14/10/2023 20:03

I don’t think anyone can get clean with three wipes, surely? And I’ve never counted the number of sheets I use. Is that a thing?

If you’re worried, speak to your GP.

Original poster
weirdgrossbodies · 14/10/2023 20:07

Well apparently, absolute optimal gut health would mean hardly any residue, so not needing much toilet paper at all. I just don't know if most people are in this category - it's not something people generally talk about after all.

I can't go to my GP and say well I have no symptoms, I just use lots of toilet paper. They'd think I was insane.

Hence a thread because I want to know how far from the norm I am.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 14/10/2023 20:09

I use a lot as I am a 'scruncher', plus as a kid we were only allowed to use 2 squares at a time. So, as an adult, I will use whatever I see fit.

SilasMarnerJekyll · 14/10/2023 20:10

I'd say 15-20 sheets is much more usual for a no.2. 6-8 sheets wouldn't be enough.

Airdustmoon · 14/10/2023 20:12

I use a LOT of toilet paper. Could get though half a roll sometimes if I’m on my period! I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 14/10/2023 20:15

I watched half a TikTok on this and it gave me the ick so I'm not an authority but... it's apparently to do with anal continence whether you finish cleanly or not. Same thing as doing your pelvic floor exercises for wee, just a bit further north, so to speak. So nothing to do with gut health, more to do with the overall level of your continence muscles.

TruJay · 14/10/2023 20:15

My son has OCD (main concerns are germaphobia and toilet based) at his worst he uses 2 rolls of toilet roll per poo and takes 3 hours to complete the toilet routine he has. It rules his life and at times is horrific! When he isn’t at his worst, it’s still about half a roll and 30-40minutes. Those times are before the shower that follows the toilet and the routine that involves. It’s heartbreaking and why people really need to be careful when they say things like ‘oh that’s making my OCD kick in’ when talking about liking something clean etc
So, in our experience, using a lot of toilet roll is certainly a ‘symptom’ of OCD but alongside all the other things he does too. Ds has an OCD diagnosis as well as Autism.
I also use far more than what you have researched as normal. DH uses about 3 sheets and it blew my mind when I found that out.

Eglatina · 14/10/2023 20:18

I think I would normally use 3 x 4-6 sheets for a number 2 on a good day! I can use way more when I've overdone heavy lifting after my pelvic floor repair though, as the muscles are um, looser 😳

I would go by the consistency and colour etc of your stools to really tell gut health though, surely?

Moonbowlspoon · 14/10/2023 20:20

Assuming I don’t have a dicky tummy, I usually wipe three times. First to deal with the main event, second to get the rest, third to ensure completely clean.

flukein · 14/10/2023 20:20

No I genuinely use loads OP don’t worry!

heyitsthistle · 14/10/2023 20:22

I use two sheets per wipe, folded into thirds. But then I wipe, fold that over again, wipe again, and if possible I fold it a third time (on a good run). So I can use two sheets for three wipes!

midnitghtgraveyard · 14/10/2023 20:22

🙄really.

Shodan · 14/10/2023 20:22

I'm also a scruncher and use enough sheets, scrunched, to cover my whole hand and my wrist as well. I pull the paper off the roll with a flourish and have never, in my life, counted how many sheets. Similarly I use as many scrunches as I need to at any given time. Could be two, could be three, could be more if I'd had something spicy and beefy and full of dairy the day before.

Sometimes I poo three times a day as well. (usually after a few days of eating too much bread and not going enough times.)

The main point of all that waffle is that I think you should only worry about things if they change from what is normal for you. What Gladys or Fred do about their bum-wiping habits is their issue.

junbean · 14/10/2023 20:23

Your diet would be the first culprit, if there is an issue at all. If you're not having other symptoms or a family history of colon issues then it might be OCD or health anxiety. I would look at diet first, then talk to your doctor.

MoggyP · 14/10/2023 20:24

LusaBatoosa · 14/10/2023 20:03

I don’t think anyone can get clean with three wipes, surely? And I’ve never counted the number of sheets I use. Is that a thing?

If you’re worried, speak to your GP.

One to scrape
One to clean
One to polish

theduchessofspork · 14/10/2023 20:25

How much loo roll you use is neither here nor there!

The Glasgow stool chart will tell you if your poo is normal or not.

if you are concerned, then if you are much younger then when your relatives got b cancer, you can have a blood test for inflammation markers. If you are within 10 years of the age an immediate family member was when diagnosed, then you should have a colonoscopy for safety - this is standard in say Australia. They are hard to get in this country so you will have to tell them you have the appropriate symptoms.

husbandcallsmepickle · 14/10/2023 20:25

Have you tried using the wet toilet wipes? They might help you get cleaner more quickly

theduchessofspork · 14/10/2023 20:25

MoggyP · 14/10/2023 20:24

One to scrape
One to clean
One to polish

Show quote history

Haha

I think the OP might take you seriously though..

ShellySarah · 14/10/2023 20:26

TruJay · 14/10/2023 20:15

My son has OCD (main concerns are germaphobia and toilet based) at his worst he uses 2 rolls of toilet roll per poo and takes 3 hours to complete the toilet routine he has. It rules his life and at times is horrific! When he isn’t at his worst, it’s still about half a roll and 30-40minutes. Those times are before the shower that follows the toilet and the routine that involves. It’s heartbreaking and why people really need to be careful when they say things like ‘oh that’s making my OCD kick in’ when talking about liking something clean etc
So, in our experience, using a lot of toilet roll is certainly a ‘symptom’ of OCD but alongside all the other things he does too. Ds has an OCD diagnosis as well as Autism.
I also use far more than what you have researched as normal. DH uses about 3 sheets and it blew my mind when I found that out.

My boyfriend also has OCD and autistic spectrum. He uses a whole roll of toilet paper every time and he worries about having enough. He does have ibs too though so maybe why he uses so much loo roll.

Sorry for your son that sounds very hard.

Missingmyusername · 14/10/2023 20:27

Just here for the comments. I do have never counted loo sheets- kudos for you having the time to do that 🤣🤣

TheThingIsYeah · 14/10/2023 20:27

3 wipes of the chocolate tea-towel holder, are you kidding me?

In my case it's like dipping a rag in a pot of marmite. So 7 wipes minimum. If it's the morning and I've got a train to catch I'll just make do and wipe to beige.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 14/10/2023 20:27

TruJay · 14/10/2023 20:15

My son has OCD (main concerns are germaphobia and toilet based) at his worst he uses 2 rolls of toilet roll per poo and takes 3 hours to complete the toilet routine he has. It rules his life and at times is horrific! When he isn’t at his worst, it’s still about half a roll and 30-40minutes. Those times are before the shower that follows the toilet and the routine that involves. It’s heartbreaking and why people really need to be careful when they say things like ‘oh that’s making my OCD kick in’ when talking about liking something clean etc
So, in our experience, using a lot of toilet roll is certainly a ‘symptom’ of OCD but alongside all the other things he does too. Ds has an OCD diagnosis as well as Autism.
I also use far more than what you have researched as normal. DH uses about 3 sheets and it blew my mind when I found that out.

At my worst it was 6-8 rolls a go, and my longest stint was 9 hours. Many a time in summer i'd see the sun go down and come back up again, it was exhausting. I really, really feel for your son Flowers

kitsuneghost · 14/10/2023 20:27

I usually use 2-3 sheets for a poo and I am clean after 1 wipe
The occasional may need 4 or 5 if it's a bit messy
1 is fine for a pee.

LusaBatoosa · 14/10/2023 20:29

weirdgrossbodies · 14/10/2023 20:07

Well apparently, absolute optimal gut health would mean hardly any residue, so not needing much toilet paper at all. I just don't know if most people are in this category - it's not something people generally talk about after all.

I can't go to my GP and say well I have no symptoms, I just use lots of toilet paper. They'd think I was insane.

Hence a thread because I want to know how far from the norm I am.

I can't go to my GP and say well I have no symptoms, I just use lots of toilet paper. They'd think I was insane.

Of course you can. And, no, they wouldn’t.

Userengage · 14/10/2023 20:30

First blot your bumhole with loo paper a couple of times and then wipe it, might be a couple times again. As you will not have smeared poo up your crack there should be no more than four blot/wipes in total.