# The tragedy of "Irregularity". Maybe TMI. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280 "2005-01-11T21:39:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/1 "2005-01-11T21:39:54Z")
In a recent thread on awful commercials, someone mentioned the one for a laxative where they show the “Regular Guys”, or something like that, all taking a dump at the exact same time every morning in the office bathroom. (If that happened at my workplace I’d be looking for a bathroom on another floor.) But my question is, is that really what “being regular” is all about? Is that really the goal that people try to reach by taking laxatives? Granted, most people with a consistent diet probably do tend to go at the same time each day. But, in all honesty, I thought the point of “regularity” was more about the consistency of the poop itself, mainly so you don’t have to wipe a hundred times when done, and not about the poop schedule. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/2 "2005-01-11T21:42:21Z")
In my experience laxatives are more intended to relief the horrible stomache cramps you get from being constipated… ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/3 "2005-01-11T21:51:06Z")
Well, one hand washes the other, so to speak. There are several types of “laxative,” and stool softeners are one – they allow feces to travel more easily. However, there are also laxatives that irritate the colon into moving feces along; not only does this produce more frequent bowel movements, but it also prevents feces from getting too hard (the colon absorbs water from feces). Infrequent bowel movements and hard, painful stools reinforce each other, and are both part of constipation. Regular bowel movements are therefore a goal of the constipated, which is why the squeamish call it “irregularity” in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/4 "2005-01-11T23:55:46Z")
I don’t think that commercial is for a laxitive but a fiber suppliment. ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/5 "2005-01-12T00:07:33Z")
I know there are some people who are hung up about going at the same time every day or at least once a day. And, if not, consider themselves “irregular.” I consider them creepy. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/6 "2005-01-12T00:12:49Z")
> [@uglybeech](#): > > I know there are some people who are hung up about going at the same time every day or at least once a day. And, if not, consider themselves “irregular.” > > **I consider them creepy.** This struck me insanely funny. Hahahahhaa. Thank you. =) ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tragedy-of-irregularity-maybe-tmi/284280/7 "2005-01-12T00:20:52Z")
> [@malkavia](#): > > This struck me insanely funny. > > Hahahahhaa. > > Thank you. =) I made someone laugh 🙂