How to Hold Your Poop In: 7 Immediate and Effective Tips

Being out on the street, in a car, in a meeting, or somewhere without a restroom and suddenly needing to defecate is an extremely uncomfortable situation. Holding in a bowel movement, also known as holding in poop or holding in defecation, may be necessary for a short period, but trying to hold it for too long or too frequently can cause discomfort and affect your bowel habits.

According to the NIDDK, constipation affects about 16% of adults, and regularly delaying the urge to defecate can make the condition harder to manage. This article helps you understand how to hold in a bowel movement when you can't find a restroom, simple tips to temporarily reduce the urge, and most importantly, when you should not continue to hold it in. Tiptory will guide you in an easy-to-understand way to handle this delicate situation more calmly and safely.

How to hold in a bowel movement in an emergency

Contract your muscles for temporary control

1. When you can't find a restroom, you can gently clench your gluteal muscles and pelvic floor muscles, while also contracting your anal sphincter to prevent stool from exiting. This is a short-term control measure, not a substitute for defecating.

2. The ability to control stool depends partly on the muscles around the anus and pelvic floor. When the urge to defecate is very strong, especially in cases of diarrhea or loose stools, holding it in can be more difficult.

Choose a posture that helps with control

1. If conditions allow, stand up or lie down instead of sitting on the toilet for too long. However, there is no strong scientific evidence that standing or lying down will "keep stool in the intestines" better; the realistic goal is to help you temporarily control the situation until you find a restroom.

2. More importantly, avoid activities that require straining or increase abdominal pressure. Once a restroom is found, you should go immediately instead of continuing to hold in your poop.

Do not hold in defecation for too long

1. Frequently holding in defecation or ignoring the urge to defecate can increase the risk of constipation. Both the NIDDK and NHS note that regularly delaying the urge to defecate is a factor that can contribute to constipation.

2. When stool remains in the colon for too long, the body continues to absorb water, which can make the stool dry, hard, and more difficult to pass. Prolonged constipation can also lead to fecal impaction, making defecation even harder.

3. Therefore, if you are only in an inconvenient situation, view holding in a bowel movement as a temporary solution. Prioritize finding a restroom as soon as possible instead of trying to hold it for a long time.

Know when to seek medical attention

1. If you frequently have to hold in bowel movements, experience chronic constipation, or have a significant change in bowel habits, you should consult a doctor to find the cause.

2. Seek early medical evaluation if constipation is accompanied by blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or inability to pass gas. These could be signs of a problem that needs to be examined rather than continuing to self-treat at home.

Joseph Bennett General Practitioner

Holds an MD from Northwestern University, with over 12 years of experience in public health and chronic disease treatment. Currently practicing at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, prioritizing safe, evidence-based treatment methods.