A survey of 2,000 adults found that 18% did not consider their stool frequency to be “normal”.
And almost a quarter (24%) don’t know what to look for when it comes to checking the health of their number two.
In fact, more than one in 10 (13 percent) have not been treated or diagnosed with a digestive symptom because they don’t feel like they understand enough about their digestive system and how it works.
While 17% fear doctors won’t take them seriously if they try to make an appointment to discuss digestive symptoms.
Opening Conversations
The study was commissioned by Fybogel ahead of the launch of its “Cubicle Confessional Travel Toilet,” which gives members of the public the chance to speak with a gut health expert to help them talk more confidently about their gut habits.
Cubicle Confessional will visit the three UK cities with some of the highest rates of hospital admissions for constipation - London, Northampton and Liverpool - with expertise provided by the charity Guts UK.
Marguerite de Durfort of Fybogel said: “We know that for many, the embarrassment that comes with ‘poop chat’ can limit our understanding of our digestive system and prevent us from getting the treatment we might need.
“We want to help people in the UK get out of their misery in silence and work to break the ‘poo taboo’.
“Because 55% of people feel most comfortable talking about their bowel movements with a doctor, we hope that people in our three offices will be able to use our confession booth to get professional advice on bowel health related symptoms, allowing them to feel themselves more open to discussion. these problems and feel more comfortable working towards a solution.”
The study also found that three out of 10 (29 percent) of those who suffered from digestive symptoms had increased discomfort-related stress levels, and 26 percent had trouble sleeping.
Another quarter (26%) lacked energy in daily life, and 19% felt it affected their productivity in the workplace.
But 58% went so far as to say that their digestive health directly affects their mental health.
And 76% believe there is a “poop taboo” and people tend to be embarrassed to talk about their bowel movements.
Nearly half (46%) believe the poop taboo has evolved because it’s an unattractive topic to discuss, and 36% have been taught that it’s “rude” to talk about it.
Lifestyle choices
Another 25% are concerned that by sharing details about their bowel habits, they might also learn something about their lifestyle.
Just over four in ten (41%) have started exercising to try and improve their digestion, and 44% have increased their fluid intake, with lifestyle changes being the first line of treatment recommended for those suffering from constipation.
And 44 percent struggled with constipation, and 39 percent suffered from air stagnation.
Fybogel spokesperson, Marguerite De Durfort, added: “If there’s anything we want people to take away from our research and visit to the Cubicle Confessional, it’s that digestive symptoms are common.
“And people shouldn’t shy away from talking to those they are most comfortable with—family, friends, a healthcare professional, etc.
“Fybogel wants the nation to end the taboo on poop.”