How Long Is Too Long on the Toilet?

Going to the bathroom is something we all do, but it isn't something we often talk about. Yet your bowel habits can provide useful clues about your digestive health—especially as you get older.

One simple question is: How long should you actually spend on the toilet?

Doctors who specialize in digestive health generally say that a bowel movement should take only a few minutes for most people. About one to five minutes is a reasonable rule of thumb.

But the clock isn't the most important thing. What's more important is whether your bowel movement is comfortable, easy to pass, and leaves you feeling that you've emptied your bowels.

You shouldn't have to strain

Occasionally taking a little longer in the bathroom isn't necessarily a problem. However, regularly sitting on the toilet for 10, 15, or even 20 minutes—especially while straining—is something worth paying attention to.

Straining puts extra pressure on the rectum and anus. Over time, this can contribute to problems such as hemorrhoids and small tears in the tissue around the anus.

If you frequently have to push hard to have a bowel movement, your stool may be too hard or dry. This can be a sign of constipation.

Pay attention to what your stool looks like

Your stool can tell you something about what's happening in your digestive system.

In general, healthy stool is soft, formed, and relatively easy to pass. Very hard, dry, pellet-like stools may be a sign of constipation. On the other hand, frequent loose or watery stools may indicate a different digestive problem.

You don't need to become an expert on every detail of your bowel movements. Simply noticing a significant change from what is normal for you can be helpful.

Don't make the toilet your reading room

Many people have developed the habit of taking their phone, tablet, newspaper, or book into the bathroom. What starts as a few minutes can easily turn into a much longer stay.

If you're finished, it's usually better to get up rather than remain seated simply because you're reading or scrolling.

Spending a long time on the toilet doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, but making a habit of it can increase the amount of pressure on the area and may encourage unnecessary straining.

Aging can make constipation more common

Constipation can become more troublesome as we get older. Changes in diet, activity level, medications, and normal digestive function can all play a role.

If bowel movements have gradually become harder or less frequent, don't simply assume that constipation is an unavoidable part of aging.

It's worth discussing persistent constipation with your doctor or another healthcare professional. They can help determine whether your diet, medications, fluid intake, activity level, or another condition could be contributing to the problem.

When should you call your doctor?

An occasional difficult bowel movement usually isn't cause for alarm. But persistent changes in your bowel habits deserve attention.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you regularly:

• Spend more than 10 to 15 minutes trying to have a bowel movement

• Need to strain significantly

• Feel as though you haven't completely emptied your bowels

• Have ongoing constipation

• Notice a persistent change in your usual bowel pattern

• Experience abdominal pain

• Notice bleeding from the rectum

These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have a serious condition, but they are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

The bottom line

You don't need to time every trip to the bathroom with a stopwatch. For most people, a bowel movement should be a relatively quick and comfortable process.

A few minutes is usually enough.

More important than the exact number of minutes is whether your stool is easy to pass, whether you have to strain, and whether your bowel habits have changed.

As you get older, paying attention to these everyday signals can be a simple way to stay on top of your digestive health. If something changes and doesn't return to normal, don't hesitate to bring it up with your doctor.