It might be weird to think about your poops but oddly enough you do it pretty frequently or for some maybe not so frequent... But what is considered normal?
Bowel movement frequency varies widely between individuals, but recent high-quality research shows that most healthy adults fall within a broad normal range of three times per week to three times per day. A large population study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology found that nearly 98% of healthy adults had bowel habits in this range, making it the most evidence supported definition of “normal.” Stool consistency matters just as much as frequency; well-formed, easy-to-pass stools once or twice daily tend to associate with the healthiest gut microbial patterns. A newer study from 2024 examining over 1,400 adults showed that individuals who had 1–2 bowel movements per day had the most favorable gut microbiome profiles and metabolic markers, suggesting that “high normal” frequency (daily or near daily) may correlate with optimal digestive health.
Abnormal patterns can also be defined clearly. Having fewer than three bowel movements per week, especially if stools are hard, dry, or require straining, is commonly associated with constipation and can signal slowed gut motility or dehydration. Conversely, having more than three loose or watery stools per day may indicate diarrhea or an underlying gastrointestinal disorder. Sudden changes in bowel habits, persistent diarrhea, chronic constipation, blood in the stool, or associated symptoms like weight loss or severe abdominal pain warrant medical evaluation. These patterns are important not only for comfort but potentially for long term health, as recent research suggests that both very low and very high stool frequencies, especially with abnormal consistency, may correlate with altered microbiome structure and increased health risks.
References Oshima T. Bowel habits and lifestyle factors in the general population. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2010;45(9):111–117.
Johnson AJ et al. Bowel movement frequency is associated with gut microbiome composition and host physiology. Cell Systems. 2024. (ISB & Cell Systems dataset release)
Sumida K et al. Defecation frequency and association with health outcomes in adults. Sci Rep. 2016;6:33005.