Occasionally, stool may be flat, squarish, or stringy. This is rarely a cause for concern.
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 the 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.
Learn more about different types of poop here.
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.
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
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:
- stomach pain
- bloating
- gastroesophageal reflux
- gas
- needing the toilet urgently
- whitish mucus in stool
Treatment may include:
- eating more fiber
- avoiding gluten
- switching to the low FODMAP diet
Learn more about the signs of IBS here.
Constipation
Constipation involves having fewer bowel movements than usual or having hard stool that is difficult to pass.
Symptoms include:
- small, hard, pellet- or pebble-like stool
- a stomachache
- cramping
- gas
- frequent belching
- bloating
- no bowel movements for several days
Treatment may include:
- avoiding triggering foods
- drinking more fluids
- taking laxatives
- taking stool softeners
- taking fiber supplements
Find home remedies for constipation here.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools several times a day. It may also involve pain or discomfort.
Symptoms include:
- an urgent need to use the bathroom
- cramping
- a loss of control of bowel movements
- nausea
- pain in the abdomen
Treatment may involve:
- taking over-the-counter diarrhea medication
- treating the underlying cause
- replacing lost fluids and electrolytes
Learn how to stop diarrhea fast here.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to an enlargement of the prostate. It usually affects urination, but it can also affect the colon and cause stringy or flat stool.
Symptoms include:
- a persistent feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating
- trouble urinating
- needing to push or strain to urinate
Treatment may include:
- keeping an eye on the symptoms and notifying the doctor of any changes
- taking prescription medication
- undergoing surgery
Colorectal cancer
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 so cause stool to be flat or thin and pencil-like.
Symptoms include:
- blood in the stool
- darker stool, indicating bleeding further up the gastrointestinal tract
- feeling the need to have a bowel movement and no relief afterward
- diarrhea, constipation, or other changes in bowel habits that last more than a few days
- weakness and fatigue
- unintended weight loss
- vomiting
Treatment may include:
- surgery, to remove the cancerous cells
- radiofrequency ablation, which involves killing these cells with a probe containing tiny electrodes
- cryosurgery, which freezes and destroys the abnormal tissue
- chemotherapy, which involves stopping cancer’s growth with drugs
- radiation therapy, which involves using high-energy X-rays, for example, to kill cancerous cells or keep them from growing.
- targeted therapy, which involves attacking cancerous cells, without harming regular cells, using drugs or other substances
- immunotherapy, which involves using the immune system to fight the cancer
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.
Other potential causes
Anything that may cause the colon or rectum to narrow may also cause flat poop. These issues include:
- fecal impaction, a blockage of waste in the intestines
- hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus.
- trapped abdominal hernias
- colon polyps
- a distended, or stretched, colon
- food poisoning
The best approach depends on the cause of the issue. Some home care techniques involve:
Fiber
If constipation causes flat stool, eating more fiber-rich foods can help.
Foods with high fiber contents include whole grains and many fruits and vegetables. Leave the skins on, when possible.
Learn about high fiber foods here.
Water
Drinking lots of water can ease the passage of stool, making it less likely to be flat.
Learn about the symptoms of dehydration here.
Exercise
Some evidence suggests that mild physical activity can have a positive impact on gastrointestinal problems.
Walking, jogging, biking, swimming, rowing, lifting weights, and participating in organized sports can all
Low FODMAP diet
Flat poop is rarely a cause for concern. However, seek medical advice if any of the following symptoms occur:
- blood in stool
- dark stool
- pus or mucus in stool
- a high fever
- abdominal pain or cramping
- sudden, prolonged constipation
- pooping more or less often than usual
- drastic changes in the consistency of stool
Overall, if thin or flat stool occurs for more than 3 days, even without any of the above symptoms, contact a doctor.
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.