We all went through those intimate moments – or even slightly embarrassing – when the body clearly tells us: “Now is the time to go to the toilet.”. Or, on the contrary, moments when you would have given anything to do … but nothing. The constipation was installed as an uninvited guest and wanted to leave.
Digestive problems intensify as we get older DMS
But did you know that behind this seemingly trivial gesture is a complex mechanism, adjusted by a lot of factors ranging from person to person? A true orchestra – sometimes surprising – adjusts the pace and frequency of intestinal transit. Your body has its own inner clock and sometimes even the smallest changes in our lifestyle can seriously give it this delicate balance.
In a previous edition, we discussed the secret time of the day when your intestine works best, also presenting tips from gastroenterologists-a first step towards understanding the fascinating rhythm of our digestion. Today, we go further and open the black box a “Walking to the toilet” To explore the eight key factors that can disrupt the intestinal transit-from food and stress, to travel and medicines-and which can influence when and how often you have chairs, per day or a week.
Understanding these factors gives you the power to anticipate possible changes, adjust your behavior and take action before problems arise, thus ensuring your intestinal health and daily comfort. Every detail matters in this true symphony of the human body.
Here are the 8 factors that can disrupt the intestinal transit and influence how often and when you go to the toilet:
1. Eating, key to success: fibers and hydration
The simple act of eating, especially fiber -rich foods, stimulates the activity of the intestines, explains Will Bulsewicz, gastroenterologist in Charleston, South Carolina, the founder of the platform The Plant-Fed Gut and the author of the book «Fiber Fueled».
But other food factors also play an important role. “Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for soft, easy to remove. Dehydration causes the large intestine to absorb more water from the chair, which leads to hard, dry and, implicitly, to constipation“, says Dr. Kenneth Brown, Gastroenterologist in Plano, Texas, and the host of Podcast Gut check project.
Caffeine, alcohol and other substances can accelerate intestinal transit by stimulating colon contractions and increasing intestinal motility. In contrast, a diet rich in processed and low fiber products can promote constipation, he adds.
2. Physical activity: “When you move, your intestines are moving”
Move-and your digestive system will do the same. “During cardiovascular exercises, intestinal motility slows down temporarily, but it returns as soon as we stop. Physical exercises stimulate intestinal motility, which can help to trigger a chair. When you move, your intestines are moving.”explains Dr. Bulsiewicz.
And the reverse is valid: the lack of physical activity can slow down intestinal motility and lead to constipation. The prolonged state on the chair can also exert excessive pressure on the rectum. According to Dr. Brown, over time, this can weaken the muscles involved in the elimination process, and these muscles must work effectively for a complete and satisfactory chair.
3. Travel is not friendly to the digestive system
In a 2024 Instagram post, Dr. Bulsiewicz revealed the five reasons why you can't have a chair when you travel.
It is a common problem, confirmed by the other specialists, for several causes: changing the time spindle disturb the circadian rhythm, nutrition and water supply changes, the level of stress increases, and physical activity tends to decrease. Delays on the airport runway or long flights are not at all friendly to the digestive system.
4. Stress and anxiety influence the brain-intestine axis
One in three American adults reports to face levels “Extremely overwhelming” of stress almost every day, according to a study conducted in 2023 by the American Psychology Association. This stress affects not only the perception of the world, but also the frequency and moment when we have a chair.
“Stress and anxiety influence the brain-intestine axis, which can lead to changes in intestinal habits. Stress can increase colon contractions, causing diarrhea, or slowing intestinal motility, causing constipation,” explains Dr. Brown.
The reaction of the intestine to stress depends on the physiology of each and on the hormones released in tense situations, such as cortisol or adrenaline.
5. Certain medical conditions may increase or reduce the frequency of chairs
In addition to mental challenges, other conditions can influence the frequency and regularity of the chairs. These include inflammatory intestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable colon syndrome (SCI), celiac disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes and neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, explains Dr. Brown. These conditions can cause either the growth or the reduction of the frequency with which you go to the toilet.
6. Certain drugs such as antidepressants and narcotics, often cause constipation
Recipe drugs, such as laxatives and intestinal emollients, are designed to stimulate intestinal transit or to facilitate the elimination of the chair.
In contrast, some prescription -based drugs, including certain antidepressants or narcotic, such as opioids, can often cause constipation by reducing intestinal secretions and slowing digestive motility, explains Dr. Brown.
If you have started a new treatment and notice changes in your habits to go to the toilet, talk to your doctor-it can adjust the medication or you may recommend solutions to help your digestion.
7. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes relax the digestive tract muscles
Pregnancy can make the regularity of chairs more difficult. The growing fetus presses on the rectum, which can make it difficult to eliminate. Besides, “Hormonal changes during pregnancy can reduce intestinal motility, causing constipation”. Dr. Brown also explains: “Increased progesterone levels relax the muscles of the digestive tract, slowing the chair through the colon.”
8. Aging: reduced movement, weakened muscles and less sensitive nerves affect digestion
Our digestive system naturally slows down as we get older, which leads to rarer chairs, explains Dr. Brown. Usually, as we grow older, we move less, and, as we have already mentioned, a low level of physical activity makes people of any age have fewer chairs.
In addition, with the aging and passage of time, all our muscles – including those in the colon and rectum – weaken, which increases the risk of constipation. At the same time, according to Dr. Brown, the nerves become less sensitive, including those in the rectum, which makes it harder to feel the need to go to the toilet.
Conclusion
Understanding the eight key factors that influence intestinal transit is not just an exercise in curiosity-it is an invitation to know your body better and to take control over your digestive health. Whether it is nutrition, movement, stress or other aspects, every detail matters in maintaining the delicate balance of the digestive system.
Therefore, pay attention to the signals that your body transmits and does not underestimate the power of daily habits. With small adjustments and care for yourself, you can turn the toilet from a source of discomfort into a natural, predictable and worry-free act. Because health starts with the simplest moments – even the most intimate.
