Do You Spend Too Much Time on the Toilet? What Bathroom Habits Say About Gut Health

How long does you need to poop, to sit on wiping? How long should it’s necessary?

If you are like many younger Americans – we are talking about millennials and the Z generation – it could take you a little too long, according to a new national coca survey carried out by Health. Almost half of the millennials (47%) and just over half of generation Z (51%) would have taken at least six minutes Having a saddle – the intestine – less less generation X (37%) and baby boomers (23%) take so long.

To be clear, “there is no specific” normal “time and based on evidence to pass on the toilet,” said Amit Ahuja, MD, responsible for gastroenterology at cylinder medical group, Health– But that does not mean that there are no general guidelines for your time spent in poop.

Five minutes is a reasonable cut -off time for a saddle, according to Jim Cox, MD, co -director of the gourmet and nutrition module at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine from the Christian University of Texas.

“If someone has not had a intestinal saddle in this time, then they should get up and try again later,” he said Health.

But spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet – or seriously the difficulty in having a saddle – could be a red flag. “Clinical concerns should occur when there are prolonged constraints, incomplete evacuation or the need for manual assistance, rather than on the basis of a strict time threshold,” said Ahuja.

Our survey did not identify a specific cause for prolonged shit periods, but some other statistics seemed to be alarm ringtards for experts.

The first? Young adults are constantly on their phones– Even when they are on the toilet. Generation Z is the most likely to scroll while being indisposed, with 49% still using the phone on the toiletfollowed by 39% of millennials. These percentages drop considerably for generation X (22%) and baby boomers (6%).

But something physical could also happen. Constipation is the most common in millennialsWith 33% of reports that they were saved in the last month. More specifically, 12% of millennials were diagnosed with IBS-C, a subtype of irritable colon syndrome where constipation is the main symptom.

You also cannot ignore the link between mental health and poop: more generation Z (83%) and millennials (80%) said that anxiety, stress or mental health disorders affected their stool in the last month, against only 69% of generation X and 50% of baby boomers.

“The intestinal connection of the mind can be easily neglected,” said Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD, dietitian and lecturer in nutrition and dietetics of California State University – Long Specialized in Gut Health Health. “Your body, in particular your intestine, can feel mental stress, which can result in constipation and an increase in toilet time.”

And the traditional Western regime certainly does not help things, said Cox, who also suspects eating Too little fiber and too much food transformed Contribute to more time spent on the toilet.

If the prolonged toilet time is a regular practice, it is certainly not good.

If you have hemorrhoids, sitting on the toilet for long periods could make them evaluatesaid Cox. It is also possible to live nerves compressed in the legs or pain in the neck, back and upper legs to hold this posture longer than necessary.

And then there is the germinal factor. “The use of phones on the toilet increases the risk of transmission of germs because mobile phones are well documented vectors for microbial contamination,” said Ahuja.

In addition, more screen time in general is not great. “The frequent use of the phone during the bathroom time can strengthen the association between toilet and screen use, potentially leading to the formation of habits or dependence on the phone for distraction or emotional regulation,” said Ahuja.

On the other hand, people can use calm and uninterrupted weather as a way to relax and even help them go to the toilet. “If this is the case, working on a stress reduction technique that does not imply the phone would be useful,” said sauceda.

First of all: Fiber. It is macronutrient that makes things happen and serves as prebiotics for good intestinal bacteria – but you probably don’t get enough. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that women get at least 25 grams per day, and men should try 38 grams (most people only get half).

“Fiber is the key, and consistency is the trick,” said sauceda. Eating more fibers from time to time will not cut it – it should be part of your regular routine, but take it slowly at the start to give your body time to adapt.

Water is another essential breast. “Whenever you go up your fiber, You should also drink more water“Saida said.” The water helps fibers to move in your intestine, otherwise you are more likely to feel constipated. “

And Do not try to hold your poop– Out when you feel like you have to go. “Try to have a saddle when you feel the desire to evacuate the colon,” said Cox. “The stool holds the colon to absorb more water from the stool. This hard stool can be more difficult to pass. ”

If you notice that BMs take longer or if you meet other changes when you try to go, let your doctor know. “Any change in intestinal habits, whether constipation or diarrhea, should justify a trip to a healthcare professional,” said Cox. “If you feel rectal bleeding, weight loss or persistent abdominal pain, ask for urgent medical care.”

_{Health.com interviewed 2,001 adults living in the United States from June 11 to 19, 2025. The survey was presented online via a self-administered questionnaire to a panel of respondents to a market seller. In order to qualify, respondents must be over 18 years old and live in American quotas have been implemented in sampling using benchmarks of the American Community Survey (ACS) of the US Census Bureau for age, race / ethnicity and household income.}