# Do Some People Habitually Keep Their Anal Sphincters Tightly Clenched?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-habitually-keep-their-anal-sphincters-tightly-clenched/368765>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 15, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-habitually-keep-their-anal-sphincters-tightly-clenched/368765 "2006-08-15T03:07:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-habitually-keep-their-anal-sphincters-tightly-clenched/368765/21 "2006-08-16T22:35:24Z")

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[QUOTE=Khadaji]  
I’ve seen that book a bunch of times and every time I think that if it were cheaper I would buy it for a laugh. But 16 dollars is too much for a joke.  
[/QUOTE]

I bought it. I’m still trying to get through it, but by god I’m going to read it.

Maybe I should leave it in the bathroom?

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**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-habitually-keep-their-anal-sphincters-tightly-clenched/368765/22 "2006-08-16T23:42:43Z")

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[QUOTE=tdn]  
To answer the OP factually and seriously, yes. Some people clench up unconsciously, and sometimes for long periods of time.  
[/QUOTE]

To also take the OP seriously, I have learned this trick (actually, learned is probably the wrong word, as it never seemed to take much effort) given that I have ulcerative colitis, and can feel an urge to take a dump for lengthy periods when circumstances prevent me from doing so. A sort of semi-conscious clenching is required to avoid accidents - that is, the clenching is of a voluntary (as opposed to autonomic) nature, but doesn’t require an actual mental attention. Unless the circumstances become rather dire, in which case finding a facility becomes mandatory regardless.

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