Flat poop: Causes, home treatment, when to see a doctor

Occasionally, stool may be flat, squarish, or stringy. These changes are often the result of diet. However, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and other conditions may cause long-term changes in stool shape.

Poop should generally resemble the place from which it comes: the intestines. It is usually slightly rounded, like a sausage, and smooth, with some cracks on the surface.

It can be concerning if stools are suddenly not "normal." Most of the time, however, a change in appearance is short-lived and nothing to worry about.

Temporary changes to the shape or color of stool are common and not necessarily a sign of illness.

Sometimes, they stem from the person's diet. For example, foods containing colorings can change the color of poop. An excess of fatty foods can lead to oily or greasy poop, and eating too little fiber can likewise give stool an unusual appearance.

If the changes only last for one or two bowel movements, or even a couple of days, they are likely no cause for concern.

However, if changes in stool shape or color last longer or accompany other symptoms, the cause may be an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Learn more about different types of poop here.

While changes in the color or appearance of stool often stem from the diet and are temporary, some underlying health issues can cause more lasting changes. Below, we describe some conditions that may cause flat poop:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that occur without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive system.

Symptoms include:

Treatment may include:

Learn more about the signs of IBS here.

Constipation involves having fewer bowel movements than usual or having hard stool that is difficult to pass.

Symptoms include:

Treatment may include:

Find home remedies for constipation here.

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools several times a day. It may also involve pain or discomfort.

Symptoms include:

Treatment may involve:

Learn how to stop diarrhea fast here.

Changes in the shape of stool can be one sign of colon or rectal cancer. If a tumor grows in either area, it can change the shape of the bowel and cause stool to be flat or thin and pencil-like.

Symptoms include:

Treatment may include:

It is important to remember that the earlier a doctor diagnoses cancer, the better the likelihood of successful treatment.

Learn more about colorectal cancer here.

Anything that may cause the colon or rectum to narrow may also cause flat poop. These issues include:

The best approach depends on the cause of the issue. Some home care techniques involve:

If constipation causes flat stool, eating more fiber-rich foods can help.

Foods with high fiber content include whole grains and many fruits and vegetables. Leave the skins on, when possible.

Learn about high fiber foods here.

Drinking lots of water can ease the passage of stool, making it less likely to be flat.

Learn about the symptoms of dehydration here.

Some types of physical activity may have a positive impact on gastrointestinal problems.

Activities such as walking, yoga, aerobic exercise, and tai chi may help improve physical and mental health-related symptoms of IBS, according to research from 2019.

FODMAP stands for "fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols." These are short-chain carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed by the small intestine and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Evidence supports the use of a low FODMAP diet in the treatment of IBS.

Learn more about the low FODMAP diet here.

Flat poop is rarely a cause for concern. However, a person should seek medical advice if any of the following symptoms occur:

Overall, if thin or flat stool occurs for more than 3 days, even without any of the above symptoms, a person should consider contacting a doctor.

Here are some questions people ask about flat poop.

Flat poop is not usually a cause for concern. However, people should speak with a doctor if they have blood in their stool or persistent changes in bowel habits for no clear reason.

Flat poop can be a sign of constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, an enlarged prostate, or colorectal cancer. Stool can also change in color and consistency according to the diet.

Bowel movements naturally vary from day to day, and these temporary changes are usually nothing to worry about. However, prolonged changes can indicate an underlying health issue. If flat poop occurs for more than 3 days, seek medical advice. It may be wise to do so earlier if there are other symptoms.