# How do your stools rate on the Bristol Stool Form Scale? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 25, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183 "2009-07-25T01:28:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Apricot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Apricot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apricot)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/21 "2009-07-25T06:14:45Z")
1 or 4. I have no complaints, although this thread makes me wonder if I should be complaining? ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/22 "2009-07-25T08:04:12Z")
I’ve ranged all over the place but mostly 3 and 5. I’ve had occasional (and memorable!) Type 4, but more often than not they’ve occurred physically connected with types 2 or 3. I should probably eat more fiber. Lord knows we’ve got all sorts of crispbread lying around the house… ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/23 "2009-07-25T10:28:38Z")
Where do we find the “Key”? You can’t go putting up the map without the key. What does it all mean? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/24 "2009-07-25T17:44:28Z")
By appearance a type 3, but almost always very hard. Often clogs the toilet. I say I have larger gauge plumbing than the toilet. And boo to the people who assume my diet is responsible. I eat lots of fruit and veggies and also dried apricots and prunes but none of it helps. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/25 "2009-07-25T18:31:16Z")
I guess it’s usually a 5 or 6. Is that bad? I wonder if Dr. Bristol is/was very proud of his stool form legacy. On edit, it’s the University of Bristol who’s proud. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/26 "2009-07-25T18:40:12Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > have one movement a day - more if I had more of the aforementioned fiber - I can’t think of a day going by without passing stool ever in my life. This seems to be quite variable among people. Depending on how much I’ve eaten, I can go 5 or 6 days, or even a week between. Usually it’s 2 or 3 days. It’s also nice to know that a 4 is good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/27 "2009-07-25T20:55:57Z")
Sorry, I can’t resist: Q. Why are your turds pointed at each end? A. It is Mother Nature’s way of preventing your asshole from snapping shut. (Sorry 'bout that) ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/28 "2009-07-25T22:57:59Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > This seems to be quite variable among people. Depending on how much I’ve eaten, I can go 5 or 6 days, or even a week between. Usually it’s 2 or 3 days. > > It’s also nice to know that a 4 is good. 🙂 A week? I poop four times A DAY! This is what a gastric by-pass can do to you. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/29 "2009-07-25T23:30:08Z")
1 or 2. Been this way for 2 years, regardless of diet. Used to be more like 3-4. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/30 "2009-07-26T00:28:54Z")
Everywhere from 1-6 (7 only being when sick, usually). I haven’t ever found a connection between my diet and poopies. I do spend more time towards the extremes than the middle, but it’s always satisfying when I have a nice big 4. (TMI alert: My mom could always tell when I had used the bathroom and forgotten to flush when I was a kid because I apparently had the girthiest turds in the house.) ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/31 "2009-07-26T00:39:26Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > Oprah and Dr. Oz say that as long as it’s “S” or “C” shaped, you’re probably doing ok. Yeah, who doesn’t look? I don’t look either. Why would anyone want to? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/32 "2009-07-26T01:55:54Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I don’t look either. Why would anyone want to? Dude, why wouldn’t you want to see outcome of your toil? You’ve never thought, “That felt big,” or “That felt small” or “What the flying FUCK just came out of me?!” and wanted to check? I know that poop is sort of gross, but it’s your own! It’s like how everyone’s okay with the smell of their own farts. Oh, and I’m a 3 or 4. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/33 "2009-07-26T02:05:25Z")
From 2-4. I find that Metamucil gives me number 1s, but I don’t find them particularly hard to pass. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/34 "2009-07-26T02:27:41Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Dude, why wouldn’t you want to see outcome of your toil? You’ve never thought, “That felt big,” or “That felt small” or “What the flying FUCK just came out of me?!” and wanted to check? I know that poop is sort of gross, but it’s your own! It’s like how everyone’s okay with the smell of their own farts. No way, Jose. I just think, ew, that’s out of me, I don’t even want to THINK about it. I don’t examine my periods for particularly large blood clots either. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/35 "2009-07-26T02:39:21Z")
I don’t see a stool on that list with a lot of peanuts and blood. So I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/36 "2009-07-26T02:54:50Z")
> [@Dr.Woo](#): > > I guess it’s usually a 5 or 6. Is that bad? > > I wonder if Dr. Bristol is/was very proud of his stool form legacy. > > On edit, it’s the University of Bristol who’s proud. I wonder how Bristol Palin feels about it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/37 "2009-07-26T03:10:15Z")
3 to 5 - I try to keep 'em around 4 through proper diet, but between food allergies and intolerances that isn’t always possible. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/38 "2009-07-26T03:31:37Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > No way, Jose. I just think, ew, that’s out of me, I don’t even want to THINK about it. I don’t examine my periods for particularly large blood clots either. I’ve heard it’s a specific type of person who doesn’t look after the deed. I don’t know what specific type that is, but I suppose I’m not one. I can’t imagine being anymore grossed out by your own waste than your own nudity. Private, yes, but it’s only you. Then again, I’m a nurse, so I look at other people’s poop all day and don’t bat an eye. ---
**Author:** ![Fastidiots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fastidiots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fastidiots)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/39 "2009-07-26T05:08:19Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > Everywhere from 1-6 (7 only being when sick, usually). I haven’t ever found a connection between my diet and poopies. I do spend more time towards the extremes than the middle, but it’s always satisfying when I have a nice big 4. > (TMI alert: My mom could always tell when I had used the bathroom and forgotten to flush when I was a kid because I apparently had the girthiest turds in the house.) “Girthiest”… I cackled in the internet cafe. I’m a very regular 3, unless I’ve got pub shits, which are very dark (almost black) and 4ish. Or if I’m sick, of course. I’m renowned to be a quick excreter, I tried to nick name myself “Rocket Shits” but it never stuck. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/40 "2009-07-26T05:45:27Z")
I used to pretty much always be a 3 or 4. Starting a year and a half ago it changed to always 5 and 6 and much more frequent. Turned out to be Crohn’s disease. Now on good medication and getting it under control I’m usually about a 4.5, but a 6 turns up once or twice a week. My doctor told me that I got diagnosed relatively quickly. For many people it takes years, in part because they don’t tell their doctor until it’s been bad for a long time. For me, from the very first GI symptoms to being diagnosed took maybe 2-3 months. Lesson being, no what what “normal” is for you, if it suddenly changes and this persists you should let your doctor know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183.md?page=3)