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How To Soften Stool? 10 Home Remedies & Medical Treatments In 2024

Syed Hasan
by

Reviewed by Ellen ODonohue, Retired RN
how to soften stool
There are some ways that can help your stool soften. Photo: Thanh Thanh

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Are you looking for the answer to: “How to soften stool easily?” because having regular and comfortable stool consistency is essential for staying healthy? However, many individuals experience the discomfort of hard or dry stools, making them difficult to pass.

Constipation or hard stools are often common in people with digestive and kidney diseases. Inadequate dietary fiber intake, dehydration, a sedentary lifestyle, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and underlying health conditions are just a few examples that can disrupt the natural rhythm of our digestive system.

Fortunately, numerous stool-softening secrets can help alleviate this issue. This guide will explore ten effective home remedies, including the benefits of almonds and how much water you should drink to soften stool. The article will also highlight some of the medical treatments along with the best fruits and vegetable supplements that can be consumed to soften stool to maintain a healthy digestive system.

How To Soften Stool That Is Ready To Come Out

  • Increase fiber intake
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Probiotics for gut health
  • Natural laxatives
  • Over-the-counter stool softeners
  • Prescription medications
  • Enemas and suppositories
  • Dietary adjustments
  • Exercise regularly
  • Seek medical advice

How To Soften Stool?

There are many natural and medical ways to soften stool to reduce constipation[1] and the discomfort attached to it. What to take to soften stool? The key ways to soften stool are to increase fiber, take natural laxatives, consume more liquid, over-the-counter stool softeners, and prescription medicines, and perform dietary adjustments and regular exercise. Keep reading to learn more about the remedies that make the stool soft and improve bowel habits.

Increase Fiber Intake

Fiber acts as nature’s broom for our digestive system. Incorporating enough fiber in foods and psyllium husk or flax seeds into your diet can boost soluble fiber, which absorbs water and softens the stool. Flaxseed oil also helps. Consuming high-fiber foods is recommended. Almonds are one of the top stool softener foods thanks to containing strong sources of fiber and phosphorus and a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, and riboflavin.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Stool hardening can be influenced by dehydration. Photo: New Africa/Shutterstock

Dehydration can contribute to the hardening of stools. Therefore, ensuring an adequate water intake throughout the day helps maintain hydration levels and prevent stool from becoming dry and difficult to pass.

Probiotics For Gut Health

Probiotics[2] are beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy balance in our gut flora. Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi into your diet.

Natural Laxatives

Several natural substances possess laxative properties and can aid in softening stool. Another natural laxative is castor oil, which makes bowel movements easier.

Over-The-Counter Stool Softeners

If natural remedies are not providing sufficient relief, over-the-counter stool softeners can be an effective solution. Examples include docusate sodium (Colace) and polyethylene glycol (Miralax).

Prescription Medications

In cases where home remedies and over-the-counter treatments do not provide relief, healthcare professionals may prescribe stronger medications to address severe constipation. These medications, such as lubiprostone (Amitiza) or linaclotide (Linzess), help increase intestinal fluid secretion, stimulating bowel movements and softening stool.

Enemas And Suppositories

How to stimulate bowel movement immediately? Enemas involve the introduction of a liquid into the rectum, which helps soften stool and stimulate bowel movements. Conversely, suppositories are inserted into the rectum and dissolve to lubricate and soften the stool. While these methods can provide rapid relief, they should only be used regularly with medical supervision, as they may cause dependency.

Dietary Adjustments

Certain dietary changes can help prevent constipation and promote softer stools. For example, avoiding processed foods, eating more fiber, and incorporating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can positively impact stool consistency. Additionally, reducing the consumption of dairy products, which can be constipating for some individuals, may also be beneficial.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise Regularly
Exercise regularly can promote bowel movements efficiently. Photo: Dirima/Shutterstock

Regular physical activity stimulates the muscles in the digestive tract, promoting more efficient bowel movements. For example, walking, jogging, yoga, or cycling exercises can help prevent constipation and maintain healthy stool consistency.

Seek Medical Advice

If you experience chronic constipation or if changes in diet or lifestyle changes do not provide relief, it is crucial to seek medical advice.

Medical Treatments For Hard Poop?

Following are the medical treatments for softening stools.

Stool Softener

Stool softener, such as docusate sodium, helps prevent stool dehydration and can be helpful in hard, dry stool cases.

Bulk-Forming Agents

Fiber supplements,[3] such as psyllium husk or methylcellulose, add bulk to the stool, promoting regular bowel movements. Drinking enough fluids when taking fiber supplements is important to aid their effectiveness.

Prescription Medications

In severe or chronic constipation cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe stronger medications, such as lubiprostone or linaclotide. These medications help increase fluid secretion in the intestines, stimulate bowel movements, and relieve constipation.

Fruit And Vegetable Supplements

Due to their high fiber content, supplements containing fruit and vegetable extracts, such as prune juice or dried prunes, can provide natural laxative effects. In addition, these supplements can help soften the stool and improve bowel regularity.

Causes Of Hard Stool

Causes Of Hard Stool
There are various causes of hard stool. Photo: fongbeerredhot/Shutterstock

Hard stool, also known as constipation, can have several causes. Here are some of the main factors that can contribute to the development of hard stools.

A low-fiber diet with decreased fluid intake and low fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legume intake can lead to harder stools. Additionally, physical activity helps stimulate bowel movements and promotes healthy digestion. Conversely, individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to hard stools.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and leads to regular bowel movements. Insoluble fiber is mostly found in nuts, whole grains, wheat bran, green beans, and seeds. 

Certain pain medications (opioids), antidepressants, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, and some blood pressure medications can cause hard stools. Moreover, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism,[4] diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and colorectal disorders such as anal fissures or rectal strictures are medical conditions that can also cause hard stools. Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect the normal functioning of the digestive system and contribute to functional constipation.

Symptoms Of Hard Stool

The following are the symptoms of hard stools:

The frequency can vary depending on the individual, but having three or fewer bowel movements in a week is generally considered infrequent and is a symptom of hard stool. When stool becomes hard and dry, it can be challenging to pass. You may experience straining or feel like you’re not able to empty your bowels.

Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort or pain and manifest as cramping, bloating, or a general feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Due to the hard consistency of the stool, constipated individuals often have to strain and push harder than usual during bowel movements.

In some cases, constipation can lead to small tears in the anal tissue called anal fissures, which can cause minor rectal bleeding, which may appear as streaks of blood on the surface of the stool or toilet paper. In severe cases of constipation, the stool may appear darker than usual due to prolonged transit time in the intestines. However, this symptom is only sometimes present.

Where To Seek Medical Care?

If you are experiencing difficulty passing hard stools and are seeking medical help, there are a few avenues you can explore:

  • Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician.
  • If your primary care physician believes your condition requires specialized attention, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist.
  • Several online medical platforms allow you to consult with healthcare professionals remotely. These platforms enable you to discuss your symptoms and concerns with a licensed physician or nurse practitioner via video calls, phone calls, or text chats.
  • While urgent care centers primarily handle acute conditions, they can offer initial assessment and guidance for constipation-related issues.

Conclusion

Achieving and maintaining healthy stool consistency is crucial for overall digestive health and well-being. This article explored ten stool-softening secrets, including home remedies and medical treatments, which can help alleviate the discomfort of constipation.

Numerous strategies are available, from increasing fiber intake to utilizing over-the-counter stool softeners or prescription medications. These ideas will help soften stool making it easier to pass. By incorporating these stool-softening secrets into your lifestyle, you can promote regular bowel movements and enjoy a healthier digestive system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hard stools?

Inadequate dietary fiber intake, dehydration, sedentary lifestyle, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and underlying health conditions cause hard stools.

How can I soften a stool that is ready to come out?

The key ways to soften stool are to increase fiber and drink water, take natural laxatives, over-the-counter stool softeners, and prescription medicines, and perform dietary adjustments and regular exercise.

What are the main symptoms of hard stool?

Infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stool, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, etc., are the main symptoms of hard stool.

+ 4 Sources

EHproject has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  1. and, D. (2023). Treatment for Constipation. [online] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment.
  2. and, D. (2023). Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). [online] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism.
  3. NCCIH. (2016). Probiotics: What You Need To Know. [online] Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know.
  4. K. Lambeau and McRorie, J.W. (2017). Fiber supplements and clinically proven health benefits. [online] 29(4), pp.216–223. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12447.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Syed has 7 years of experience in providing copywriting and content writing services. He has previously written content in various niches, including health. Syed is passionate about writing and likes to provide content that is informative… See More