7 Stool Signs You Should Never Ignore
Your bowel movements offer a surprisingly accurate picture of what’s happening inside your body. Most of us don’t talk about it, but your stool can quietly reveal stress levels, digestion issues, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and even early signs of inflammation.
Here are the key stool signs worth paying attention to and what they may be trying to tell you.
Sign 1: You don’t go every day
Going only a few times a week is not normal. Chronic constipation can affect everything from hormones to energy and skin. When stool sits too long in the colon, the body reabsorbs oestrogen, which can worsen PMS, period pain, bloating, and weight gain around the middle.
Possible causes:
Low magnesium
Slow thyroid
Dehydration
Stress or rushing meals
Sign 2: Loose stools or urgency
Needing to run to the bathroom or having stools that don’t hold shape can be a sign of gut irritation or poor nutrient absorption. Many dismiss this as “just my digestion,” but chronic loose stools are a sign something needs attention.
Possible causes:
Infections or overgrowth of bacteria
High stress
Poor bile flow
Low stomach acid
Food intolerances
Sign 3: Floating or greasy stools
If your stool floats, leaves an oily film, or is difficult to flush, this often signals trouble digesting fats. People with this pattern frequently report bloating, nausea after rich meals, and fatigue after eating.
Possible causes:
Low bile production
Gallbladder stress
Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency
High stress affecting digestion
Sign 4: Strong, unpleasant odour
All stool has a smell, but an extremely strong or foul odour can indicate an imbalance. It often reflects fermentation or putrefaction in the gut, where bacteria are breaking down foods improperly.
Possible causes:
Overgrowth of bacteria
Low beneficial bacteria
High sugar intake
Low stomach acid
Poor protein digestion
Sign 5: Visible undigested food
Seeing whole pieces of vegetables, nuts, or seeds means you are not breaking down and absorbing nutrients effectively. Over time, this can lead to low energy, cravings, nutrient deficiencies, and bloating.
Possible causes:
Chewing too quickly
Low stomach acid
Low digestive enzymes
High fibre without proper digestion
Sign 6: Mucus in stool
A slimy film or stringy mucus may be a sign of irritation in the gut lining. It often appears alongside bloating, abdominal discomfort, or alternating bowel habits.
Possible causes:
Inflammation
Infections
Food sensitivities
Stress-driven IBS patterns
Sign 7: Blood in stool
Even tiny streaks of blood should always be checked by a doctor. Bright red blood often comes from lower bowel irritation, while darker stool can signal bleeding higher up the digestive tract. Any blood in stool deserves medical attention to rule out underlying conditions.
When to take action
If you notice one of these signs occasionally, it’s usually nothing to worry about. But if patterns appear for more than a few weeks, it’s worth investigating. Your stool is often the earliest and most reliable indicator that your digestion, hormones, immune system, or stress levels need support.
And this is where stool testing becomes incredibly powerful: it moves you from guessing to knowing. A comprehensive stool test can reveal imbalances, inflammation, low beneficial bacteria, hidden infections, or digestive weaknesses that you would never spot from symptoms alone.
Understanding what’s happening inside your gut gives you clarity, direction, and a personalised plan that actually works.
