I only have a bowel movement every 1-2 weeks. Is this okay??

[MommyGoblin]

Sorry in advance if this is too gross or tmi for anybody.
Like the title says, I only have a bowel movement every week or other week. Sometimes three weeks max. I’ve always been like this ever since I was a kid. And it’s always been normal excrement. Recently however, my stool has become really hard and it’s one extremely long piece. Any ideas of what could be going on or how to fix it? I have a dr appointment but the soonest they could see me is next month.

Would think you need shed loads of fibre!

Absolutely not! Eat lots of fruit and especially dates. 1-3 times a day is healthy.

Try Dulcoease. It really works.

I have a friend with a complicated colon. She goes only every 3 weeks. It’s normal for her.

I go twice a day, if I’m at home (my bowels are extremely cooperative). So that’s my normal.

Following as I'm exactly the same. But I've been like this for as long as I can remember

What's your diet like? Do you drink enough fluid? Are you a normal weight? Do you feel the need to go but ignore it? What does your GP say/advise?

This is definitely not okay.

My mum goes every 2-3 weeks, the doctors have never been concerned as it’s her normal. I’d be in agony but she not, nor bloated.

Prunes, raspberries in Greek yoghurt!

This is astonishing

I am virtually weekly, unless it’s Christmas or when I’m on holiday when I would be eating and drinking loads more than usual.

I am relieved to hear there are others!

I would be a bit concerned about 2 or 3 weeks though.

Assuming you're not the same weirdo from last week who's constipation post got zapped...

It's the rule of 3. Anywhere between 3 times a day to 3 times a week is normal.

So no.

My inexpert opinion is that it's not healthy to have that waste sitting around in your system and that you should encourage elimination. I'm prone to constipation but I've been taking a capsule of psyllium husks every morning and it's really helped me be a daily poo-er! Cheap, and also has other health benefits.
On the other hand, I guess if you're ok with your poo schedule, maybe that's just your normal. I would find the sense of bloat/backup intolerable.

I had a friend like this at uni and I couldn't believe it! I'm a 2-3 times a day girl and she was 2-3 weeks!

It really isn’t ok, for multiple reasons - you’re almost certainly not able to absorb all the nutrients from your food, for a start, and you’ll be putting pressure on your lower colon which could in turn lead to problems in older age (eg diverticulitis)
It is definitely worth some investigation via your GP & possibly an endoscopy to physically see what’s happening in there.
Id suggest you start eating a more fibre rich diet asap (whole grains, veg, pulses etc) plus take a daily probiotic, and if that doesn’t work also a stool softener such as dulcolax or senna tablets.
Best wishes.

Eat two large carrots and drink 2 litres of water a day.

Do you eat a meat heavy diet OP? I was amazed reading about John Wayne's autopsy - they removed forty pounds of compacted meat waste from his gut.

How much fibre do you eat? I would be looking to increase it and then increase some more. Possibly some flax and chia seeds in overnight oats plus lots of water and veggies

Eat more fibre, drink water, exercise and buy some osmotic medication.

You must save a small fortune in toilet roll.

Speaking from experience only osmotic laxatives helped me go from your occasional experience to a regular movement. The brand names are movicol / Laxido. They are safe to use long term.

No amount of fibre, diet changes, prunes, figs, vitamins, other laxatives and stool softeners helped for me. Wish I discovered it sooner.

Do some people really shit 2 to 3 times a DAY???????? Every day???

If you need proof, just ask any woman whose husband disappears every time the kids need feeding/dressing/putting in the car/washing up needs doing...

You were amazed as it’s totally untrue. Fact check what you read!

I am also gobsmacked by this.