Mucus in Stool (Poop)

Mucus in stool is a jelly-like substance that you may see swirling around poop or clinging to poop after you go to the bathroom. It may look like there’s snot in the toilet bowl after you poop.

It’s normal to see some clear mucus in your stool. But a flood of mucus or mucus that looks bloody, off-white or yellowish is something you may want to discuss with a healthcare provider. It may be a sign of a digestive disorder or other condition that affects your digestive system.

What are the most common causes of mucus in poop?

In general, mucus in your stool happens when something affects mucosa in your intestines, which are part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Different gastrointestinal diseases often affect the amount of mucus in your poop or the mucus’ color. Common diseases that cause mucus in stool include:

• Constipation. Constipation is one of the more common causes of mucus in stool.
• Colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer may cause mucus that’s bloody or dark black.
• Crohn’s disease. In Crohn’s disease, mucus may look like streaks of white or yellow on your poop.
• Diverticulitis. An infection in diverticula — small pockets that develop inside your colon — may increase the amount of mucus in your stool.
• Gastrointestinal infections. Bacterial, parasitic or viral infections in your intestines can cause inflammation that leads to unusual amounts of mucus.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). White-colored mucus in stool is a common IBS symptom.
• Proctitis. This is inflammation in your rectum that can cause mucus in stool.
• Ulcerative colitis. Mucus that’s white or yellow may be a symptom of ulcerative colitis.

It’s important to remember that mucus in your stool doesn’t mean you have a serious illness. It does mean something is damaging your mucosa, triggering a series of reactions that result in mucus in your stool. Here’s how that happens:

1. The top layer of your mucosa (the mucus membrane that lines your intestines) releases a thick gel-like substance (mucus). This helps move food waste through your large intestine. It also protects your large intestine from bacteria and other intruders that may be in food waste.
2. When disease irritates the mucosa in your large intestine, your mucosa reacts by releasing more mucus than usual.
3. That excess mucus can end up in your poop, floating in the water in your toilet bowl or on toilet paper after you wipe.

How is mucus in stool treated?

Some conditions, like constipation, may go away when the condition resolves. Treatment for other conditions will vary depending on the condition type and severity. For example, if tests show you have Crohn’s disease, your provider may prescribe medications that will ease symptoms. If you have severe diverticulitis, you may need surgery.

What are the possible risks of not treating mucus in stool?

In general, mucus in stool is a benign issue. In some cases, however, it may be a symptom of certain diseases for which you’ll need treatment. For example, without diagnosis and treatment, severe or chronic diverticulitis may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, fistula, perforation, abscess or bowel obstruction.

What can I do at home to treat mucus in stool?

Once you know why there’s mucus in your stool, there may be steps you can take to reduce the amount of mucus. A healthcare provider may recommend that you drink more water, add more fiber to your meals or take probiotic supplements.

If you’re receiving treatment for a condition that causes mucus in stool, ask your healthcare provider for suggestions before making big changes in your daily routine, like new over-the-counter medication that may cause issues with any prescription medication you’re taking.

When should mucus in stool be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

Contact a healthcare provider if there’s blood in the mucus or if the mucus is off-white or yellowish. You should also get medical care if you have symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea that doesn’t go away in three days
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Unexplained weight loss