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

[weirdgrossbodies]

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.

Attitudes like this are why bowel cancer is so often found too late. Like Deborah James never campaigned.

Depends how my poo is !If hard one if hard ,up to 10 if tricky !!

Because it is not something people generally talk about, is it? Because yes it's unpleasant.

But it's also connected to good health and loads of people actually put off going to the doctor when it comes to stuff to do with poo because it's fucking embarrassing.

If I had any clear cut symptoms, I would definitely go to the doctor. But even I would feel embarrassed going to my GP to ask this question, and at the same time I would like to know if it does indeed indicate a problem with my gut.

As I mentioned in my OP I have a lot of cancer in my immediate family. I am recently bereaved from a cancer that wasn't found until stage 4.

I'd quite like to not be trundling along with early warning signs of bowel cancer, only to be hit with serious and obvious symptoms in a few years time.

Get him to use this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-HAPPYPO-Portable-Bidet-Color/dp/B07YDQTRWB/ref=asc_df_B07YDQTRWB/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430803543506&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14776966919636174562&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006786&hvtargid=pla-836556422341&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=103132776154&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430803543506&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14776966919636174562&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006786&hvtargid=pla-836556422341

Are you getting paid every time someone clicks that link..?

Do you fold or scrunch the loo roll? Scrunchers use way more loo roll than folders.

I typically don't use a lot of toilet roll (just 'economised' on another brand and it's sooo bad I have to use twice as much - five rolls more to get through).
If I poo, I typically use toilet paper, then a nappy wipe.
Only buy the wipes for me, no babies in nappies, but lots cheaper than adult moist wipes.

I wish.

It just that it has saved me a lot of money so I wanted to tell other people.

Someone on MN posted about it a year or so ago.

I also use loads of paper. I believe I’m a human crayon

We get it. You can stop, now. 🤣

I never trust people who only use a sheet or two for a poo - unless they're blessed with a 'Lucky Barry' every single time.

As PP said, some of the paper is needed just to hold it with, then you need some more to meet the business end.

Everybody differs, but I'd have thought between 15-30 sheets is probably not unusual for an 'average' poo.

Try looking into a bidet attachment for your toilet saves on buying loads of toilet rolls as you only need to dry yourself off

I also agree that, if anything poo-related is bothering you, you really mustn't hesitate to see your GP about it. They won't be embarrassed about it or think bad of you for seeing them about it. Deborah James did an amazing job in her campaigning, but it's still an uphill battle.

The only exception would be if you know you're going to be on TV and the only issue that you actually have (as Dr Christian might very delicately tell you) is that you need to 'revisit your wiping technique'

I'm a folder, and will wipe, fold and wipe again. 75% of the time I am pretty clean (and I go quick too no hanging about for ages in the loo) , but the rest of the time I probably use about 6-10 sheets.

I figure we use one loo roll per person per week. I have no idea, nor want to know how this breaks down but we reliably use our Amazon delivery of 45 rolls every 3.5 months!
I think you are looking for things to worry about.

I'm with you, I was feeling bad for not using enough 🙈

@ShellySarah My son also worries about having enough! It must be so awful. I’ve seen my son in some awful states over what should be a simple everyday task. It breaks my heart.

@AlmostAJillSandwich That is so hard, I’m so sorry it’s something you struggle with too (struggle being an understatement) I hope you are doing much better now.

@ItsThatTimeAgainXmas Thank you, we’re currently in a good place. CAMHS has helped him immensely, he has a wonderful key worker and is currently on a high dose of medication which has helped to reduce the compulsions so a 40 minute toilet session for us is a huge win.
It’s incredibly restrictive, he will not go to the toilet anywhere except home and grandma’s house and the holiday apartment we stay in each year because it has to be somewhere familiar where he can be comfortable as he has to have a shower afterwards, this has led to accidents which, as you can imagine, is a nightmare. He has a lovely support teacher at school who has helped him through the accidents and calls me immediately. I hope one day he will be able to see the toilet as a 5 minute task, easily completed and not have to wash his hands until they bleed.

I use three for a poo, but mine plop out clean. Then I wash my bum in the shower

Use 2 sheets for a wee

use about 10 sheets for a poo (3 wipes)
sometimes for a really efficient poo there’s no mess and I can just do 1 wipe and the second wipe is completely clean and no need for the w done wipe

Its a standing joke when I go and visit my parents....get the loo roll stocked up cos Burts coming....I just put it down to me being poor and not being able to afford luxury bum paper.....so therefor I use a tad too much more of theirs than I need to......yabu!

This is why we need bidets in this country.

in the meantime, this wiping gel is good. Gets you properly clean and is more gentle on the bumhole than dry wiping : https://wypeuk.com/pages/how-it-works

That must be difficult for all of you.

NRFT but have you thought about getting a toilet seat bidet, or if you have two toilets, letting him have one ( with or without bidet) for his own use?

I wipe until clean and then use the bidet to wash quickly too otherwise I just feel gross after (personal preference)

I use three for a poo, but mine plop out clean.

Do they come out with a bang?