# 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:** 3
**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, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/41 "2009-07-26T05:47:34Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > (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.) Wouldn’t the…residue be covered with toilet paper? Or were they that girthy? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/42 "2009-07-27T04:43:58Z")
Before I had my daughter I used to be a 2-3 about 3 to 4 times a week. I don’t know what she knocked loose there, but ever since she was born I’ve been a regular, daily to twice-a-day 3 to 5. The vast majority of time it’s a 4. I love that kid. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/43 "2009-07-27T15:11:16Z")
None of the above. I poop in neat mounds formed by a long, unbroken coil of fecal matter, just like in the comics. I top them off with a little twist, like a Dairy Queen custard. They also have visible water vapor rising from them. I also never have to use paper. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/44 "2009-07-27T15:19:24Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > It could be age-related. My mother lived to be 92, and her stools were like malted milk balls, in spite of the fiber in her diet. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/45 "2009-07-27T15:32:39Z")
I’m all over the map. I shit in all seven styles, plus a few that aren’t on there. I’m not sure whether I should be proud or worried about the eclecticism of my shit. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/46 "2009-07-27T15:35:09Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Before I had my daughter I used to be a 2-3 about 3 to 4 times a week. I don’t know what she knocked loose there, but ever since she was born I’ve been a regular, daily to twice-a-day 3 to 5. The vast majority of time it’s a 4. > > I love that kid. Okay, but stick with telling her THAT you love her, and leave out the WHY. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/47 "2009-07-27T16:01:33Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t see a stool on that list with a lot of peanuts and blood. So I’m not sure. I also thought the Bristol scale lacked breadth. Would have guessed at least 15 types based on personal experience. No blood though. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/48 "2009-07-27T16:25:21Z")
I just want everyone to know that I was a 5 this morning. Twice. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/49 "2009-07-27T17:49:30Z")
The link in the OP is [chilhoodconstipation.com](http://chilhoodconstipation.com). I have to ask you Doper parents: do you regularly look at your kids’ poop? ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/50 "2009-07-27T18:12:13Z")
3s and 4s most of the time with an occasional 5 just for varities sake. Yeah for oatmeal for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/51 "2009-07-27T18:31:00Z")
> [@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? A cross-sectional slice (like taffy candy?) or longitudinally (like a snake?). ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/52 "2009-07-27T19:30:28Z")
> [@palindromemordnilap](#): > > I also thought the Bristol scale lacked breadth. Would have guessed at least 15 types based on personal experience. No blood though. Yeah same here. Hell back in college waking up after after an all weekend beer and barbecue party I would have 8 or 9 forms in one session, from ass-tea through fudge right up to hard balls. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyFrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@JerseyFrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyFrank)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/53 "2009-07-27T19:47:02Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > The link in the OP is [chilhoodconstipation.com](http://chilhoodconstipation.com). I have to ask you Doper parents: do you regularly look at your kids’ poop? Every day. She’s 2 years old. I’d love to have a database filled with my kid’s bathroom data. When she stays at Grandma’s, then next two days, she’s a Type 1 or a Type 7. It depends on how much cheese she ate vs. how unsafely the food was handled (or it might be the number of grapes she ate… Mom is dodgy on details). When she has a Type 1, she tells me, “I need more fruits and vegetables.” ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/54 "2009-07-27T20:51:02Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > The link in the OP is [chilhoodconstipation.com](http://chilhoodconstipation.com). I have to ask you Doper parents: do you regularly look at your kids’ poop? Absolutely! You need to know how things are working inside. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/55 "2009-07-27T20:55:59Z")
between Dr. Kellogg and the patient in “The Road to Wellville”: -Dr. Kellogg : “Your stools are small and foul smelling…due to your consumption of meat. MINE are large and full-formed, and smell like fresh-baked bread.”😃 ---
**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 27, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/56 "2009-07-27T20:56:05Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Absolutely! You need to know how things are working inside. When do you stop looking? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/57 "2009-07-27T21:09:25Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > When do you stop looking? Yeah, I’m curious about this myself. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/58 "2009-07-27T21:34:20Z")
Typically 3 or 4… But if I eat a LOT of food right before I go to bed, I usually end up with some 6 in the morning. By the way, is there any further information/explanation on these types? What does it mean when I do indeed have a 6er come out of me? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/59 "2009-07-27T22:34:07Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > When do you stop looking? Why stop? Individuals who pay at least some attention to both their intake and output tend to be healthier than those who don’t. The body gives a person useful information. Dark, tea colored urine, bloody urine, black or mahogany stools, blood-covered stools, thin & string-like stools all give signs that something may need investigating. Of course, these habits may be taken to unhealthy extremes. ---
**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 27, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183/60 "2009-07-27T22:37:35Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Why stop? Individuals who pay at least some attention to both their intake and output tend to be healthier than those who don’t. The body gives a person useful information. Dark, tea colored urine, bloody urine, black or mahogany stools, blood-covered stools, thin & string-like stools all give signs that something may need investigating. > > Of course, these habits may be taken to unhealthy extremes. Well…I meant at your kid’s poop. I guess the thought of looking down there is just too much to take. Also I’m usually in a hurry. Like for urine. Why bother? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-your-stools-rate-on-the-bristol-stool-form-scale/504183.md?page=4)