What Causes Stringy Poop?

Stringy poop is stool that appears narrow, thin, or pencil-shaped. It can happen for no apparent reason, or it might be the result of dietary changes, infections, or underlying health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Experiencing stringy poop on occasion is not necessarily a cause for concern and often resolves on its own in a few days. Frequent bouts of stringy poop might require a visit to a healthcare provider to diagnose and treat a possible underlying condition.

Symptoms of Stringy Poop

Stringy poop describes a bowel movement that is thin, long, and rope-like. This symptom might appear slightly different for each person and vary based on the underlying cause. When you have stringy poop, your stool might be soft or loose, like diarrhea. Some people report these stringy bowel movements are smaller than usual.

Stringy poop can vary in amount and frequency. You might experience stringy poop once in a while or frequently for a longer period. Depending on the cause, you might have symptoms like stomach pain, cramping, nausea, bloating, and blood in your stool.

Causes of Stringy Poop

Stringy stool can be a sign of a minor or short-term issue or may indicate a more chronic (long-term) condition.

Constipation

Constipation—generally defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week—can be a cause of stringy poop. A lack of fiber and fluids in your diet can cause stools to lose their bulk and come out looking string-like and thin.

Other symptoms that often occur with constipation include:

• Difficulty, pain, or straining while passing stools
  
• Feeling like all of your stool hasn't passed
• Bloating
• Hard or dry stool

Infections

Certain gastrointestinal (GI) infections can lead to loose, stringy poop. It may progress to diarrhea, which is defined as having watery stool. You can contract GI infections by ingesting contaminated food or water or by having close contact with someone who already has the infection.

Infections that can cause stringy poop include:

• Salmonellosis (from Salmonella bacteria)
  
• Shigellosis (from Shigella bacteria)
• Giardiasis (from the Giarda parasite)
• Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

In addition to stringy stool, you may experience symptoms like:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fever
• Stomach cramping
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Mucus or blood in the stool

Digestive Disorders

Certain digestive disorders can lead to soft, stringy stool. These conditions include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This chronic condition causes digestive symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. It can occur when the intestines don't interact with the brain appropriately, which can potentially affect the way formation and passing of stool, leading to stringy poop in some cases.
• Diverticular disease: Diverticular disease is when small pouches develop in the wall of the large intestine. As these pouches become inflamed, it causes scarring that narrows the intestines—leading to symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. This narrowing makes it difficult for stool to pass, which might result in stringy poop.
• Proctitis: Inflammation in the lining of the rectum (the last part of the large intestine, right above the anus) can cause symptoms like diarrhea and passing mucus or pus in your stool.

Lifestyle Choices

Several factors might lead to stringy stool.

Diet is a common cause of bowel changes. A lower-fiber diet and lack of hydration often cause constipation or other GI symptoms. Fiber is a carbohydrate that supports digestion and helps you feel fuller faster. Drinking adequate amounts of water allows stools to soften and pass more easily.

Medications that slow the natural movement of your intestines can also trigger constipation or fecal impaction (hard and dry stool that gets stuck in the colon or rectum), prompting stringy poop. Opioid pain medications, anticholinergics, and antidiarrheal medications (when used frequently) can contribute to these symptoms.

Less Common Causes

In rare cases, stringy stool may be due to a more serious underlying health condition. These include:

• Colon polyps: Small growths in the colon are usually harmless, but they can trigger thin stools and other changes in bowel movements.
• Bowel obstruction: A blockage in the intestine from severe constipation, scar tissue, or infections may cause stringy stools and decrease bowel movements.
• Fecal impaction: When a lump of poop builds up in the large intestine and is unable to pass normally, it may eventually come out in thin or string-like pieces.
• Colorectal cancer: In rare cases, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) can also cause narrow or stringy poop. Other noticeable symptoms of colorectal cancer include bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, and bowel movement changes.
• Anal stenosis: The anal canal can narrow due to issues like post-surgery scarring, chronic diarrhea, or long-term laxative use. Also referred to as an anal stricture, this very rare narrowing can make it difficult for stool to pass and result in thinner or stringy poop.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If your bowel movements are typically normal and you experience an occasional bout of stringy poop, it's likely nothing to be concerned about.

Contact a healthcare provider if your stringy stool lasts longer than several days and continues to get thinner—or if lifestyle changes like adding more fiber to your diet don't reduce your symptoms. People over 45 who have had changes in their bowel habits and haven't had a recent colonoscopy should see a GI doctor to obtain one.

Notify a healthcare provider if you have additional symptoms, such as:

• Bloody stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• No bowel movement in three days
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
  

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider can diagnose stringy stool by performing a physical exam and reviewing your symptoms and medical history. They may use the Bristol stool chart—an assessment tool outlining seven different stool types—to diagnose digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, and more. They may also refer you to a gastroenterologist (a medical doctor specializing in GI health).

Based on your symptoms and any potential risk factors for colorectal cancer, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

• Digital rectal exam: A healthcare provider inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to physically feel for any structural irregularities or abnormal masses in the area.
• Complete blood cell count (CBC): This blood test can detect markers that indicate infections, anemia (low red blood cell count), cancers, and immune system conditions.
• Imaging tests: An abdominal ultrasound or X-ray can help providers see intestinal abnormalities.
• Endoscopy: A provider inserts an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera at the end) into your body to better view your rectum and colon area and check for abnormal tissue growths, such as tumors or polyps.
  

Treatment

The goal of treating stringy poop is to minimize or get rid of the symptom and treat the underlying condition if there is one. Specific treatment approaches vary based on individual health factors.

Some general recommendations can help, including the following:

• Increase your fiber intake: Incorporate foods like whole grains, legumes, berries, vegetables, and nuts to prevent constipation that may be causing a stool change
• Try a low-FODMAP diet: FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. This diet limits certain carbohydrates the digestive system does not absorb well, including vegetables, beans, fruits, grains, and sweeteners.
• Take stool softeners or laxatives: Try these only if your healthcare provider recommends them to help relieve constipation-related stringy poop.
  

Some underlying causes of stringy poop require more extensive treatment, which may involve prescription medications or surgical procedures. These conditions include:

• Colorectal cancer
• Diverticular disease
• Anal stenosis
  

How To Prevent Stringy Poop

You can take steps to prevent stringy poop, including the following recommendations:

• Drink more water: Hydration helps your stool become softer and bulkier. 
• Increase physical activity levels: Physical activity can help maintain regular bowel movements. 
• Make time to eat: Don't skip meals, and consider eating smaller meals more frequently to keep the digestive system moving regularly.
• Use the bathroom when you need to: Go when you feel the urge rather than waiting and holding it.
• Add fiber slowly: Slowly add extra fiber to your diet while increasing water consumption to help move stool through the body and avoid bloating and gas.
  

A Quick Review

Poop that appears thin or stringy can happen occasionally without an apparent reason. However, it can sometimes indicate an underlying digestive condition or infection.

If your stringy stool doesn't resolve on its own or with lifestyle tweaks like ensuring adequate fiber and hydration, check with a healthcare provider. Conditions like chronic constipation, fecal impaction, and colorectal cancer require treatment.