Sudden urge to poop when you step outside your home? Top doc reveals how to prevent this

We have all been there. At least some of us. Sitting on the toilet seat in the morning, trying with all our might to get the job done and go ahead with the day, but it doesn’t happen. But the moment you step out of the door, all dressed and ready to conquer the day, the sudden urge to use the restroom pops up. This could sound silly, but it is a real problem for hundreds of people. Dr Joseph Salhab, a board-certified gastroenterologist trained at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, has shared a simple trick to prevent this. Let’s find out.

The urge when you step out

Dr Salhab was reacting to one of the videos, in which a man mentions this sudden urge to poop while leaving the house. “When your morning poop doesn't come out, but you start to feel it as soon as you leave the house,” reads the caption of the video.


Why does this happen? “If this happens to you, then you're not alone. Leaving the house flips your nervous system. The moment you put on your shoes, grab your keys, and walk out the door, your body shifts from a parasympathetic resting state to a sympathetic, more alert state,” Dr Salhab explained.

“This causes movement of your colon, relaxation of the internal anal sphincter, and more awareness that your rectum is holding your bowel movement. The poop was already there. Leaving the house just kind of removes your brain's ability to ignore it. All that didn't bother you before now becomes urgent,” he added.

What’s the fix?

If you are struggling with this same situation and have tried everything under the sun, you may want to listen to Dr Salhab’s advice. He noted that there is a simple fix to poop every morning. How? “Eat and drink your meals first thing in the morning. Then take your time getting ready so that your body has time to let this kick in. Do some stretches that can help stimulate a bowel movement. Don't ignore the urge when it comes,” he said.

Another minor addition to your bathroom routine is a footstool. “Sit on a footstool to help ease your passage and let your body learn that this is the time to go. Over time, this retrains the gut-brain reflex so that the urge happens at home instead of on the way out the door,” the gastroenterologist said.

Yes, the solution is as simple as this. But this simple hack, over time, will help you to prevent this sudden urge altogether.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.