Pooping shouldn’t be a painful experience. But for many people, bowel movements can be downright excruciating. Whether you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or another condition causing you problems down there, you know just how uncomfortable it can be when nature calls.

The good news is there are several remedies you can try at home to make pooping less painful. From using proper toilet posture, to taking warm baths, lubricating, and more, you have options to help ease the strain and discomfort.

In this post, we’ll explore 7 methods to consider when you need to poop but want to avoid that burning, stinging sensation. While occasional pain may happen, ongoing issues or severe symptoms do warrant checking with your doctor. But for the typical rough session on the toilet, these tips can help provide some sweet relief and make pooping hurt a little less. Keep reading to uncover ways you can stop dreading the bowel movement and start getting back to easy, pain-free poops.

Use Proper Toilet Posture

Believe it or not, the common sitting posture we use on toilets actually makes pooping more difficult.

When you sit with your thighs at a 90 degree angle to your torso, it creates a kink in the anal canal that makes it harder to pass stool.

To allow smoother bowel movements, you need to better mimic a squat position. The easiest way to do this is use a footstool or squatty potty.

Placing your feet on a 6-8 inch platform while on the toilet helps straighten out the anorectal angle and release the puborectalis muscle that normally restricts flow.

Many people find this slight difference in posture allows much easier passing of stool with less straining. Take pressure off the region by opening up the angles.

Soak in Warm Water

Warm baths can help relax the muscles around the anus, allowing gentler, easier bowel movements.

Run a bath of plain warm water, without any soap or bath products. You want to aim for a temperature of around 92-100°F.

Soak your bottom in the bath for 10-15 minutes at a time to allow the warmth to reach the anal sphincter and pelvic floor region. This helps loosen up tight areas and reduce pain when you go to poop.

You can also use a sitz bath, which is a small plastic tub designed to immerse just your hips and butt. This option lets you conveniently soak the area while sitting on the toilet.

Use Water-Based Lubricant

Applying a lubricant around the anus can minimize friction and discomfort as the stool passes. This is especially helpful for reducing pain from hemorrhoids, fissures or tears.

Choose a gentle, water-based lubricant without any perfumes or harsh chemicals. Apply a small amount around the anus before pooping. Reapply after each bowel movement as needed.

You can also use a small dab of petroleum jelly for lubrication. This helps coat the area to allow smoother passage.

Try Stool Softeners

Hard, dry stools can cause undue straining, irritation and pain when you poop. Using a stool softener can help.

Stool softeners work by increasing the water content in the intestines to soften up the stool. This allows much gentler and easier passage.

One of the most common and gentle options is polyethylene glycol (PEG). It’s available over the counter under brand names like MiraLAX.

Always be sure to take stool softeners with plenty of water. And check with your doctor before taking any frequently or long-term.

Use Soothing Creams or Ointments

There are a variety of over-the-counter creams and ointments that can provide cooling, pain-relieving effects around the anus. These can help when pooping irritates hemorrhoids or fissures.

Products containing ingredients like witch hazel, hydrocortisone, pramoxine, lidocaine, or zinc oxide can help numb discomfort and reduce swelling. Apply to the outer anal area after bowel movements for relief.

Check labels and avoid products with harsh perfumes or dyes, which may further aggravate the area.

Eat More Fiber

Increasing your fiber intake from foods or supplements can help soften stool for less stressful bowel movements.

Fiber adds bulk to stool and absorbs water, allowing softer, easier to pass bowel movements with less irritation to the anus. Focus on soluble fiber, like from oats, lentils, beans and fruits, which forms a gel-like consistency.

Some great fiber-rich foods include:

Oatmeal, bran cereals
Fruits: apples, blueberries, prunes
Vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots
Beans and lentils
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains

You can also take a fiber supplement like psyllium husk if needed. Just be sure to take with ample water.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough fluids keeps your stool soft and easy to pass. When you’re dehydrated, stools are small, hard and straining is more likely.

Aim for at least six to eight 8-oz glasses of fluids daily. Water is best, but beverages like herbal tea, broths and fruit juice also contribute to your fluid intake.

Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and soda can also help stimulate bowel movements in some people.

When to See Your Doctor

Occasional pain with bowel movements may be something you can treat at home with these remedies. But if problems persist or become severe, see your doctor for an evaluation.

Signs you need professional attention include:

Bleeding with bowel movements
Intense pain that doesn’t improve
Fever or chills
Bowel movements that are pencil-thin
Inability to have a bowel movement for several days

These can indicate a complication or underlying condition requiring medical treatment. Don’t hesitate to get checked out for severe, ongoing problems.

Poop Better and Reduce Discomfort

Dealing with painful poops? You don’t just have to grin and bear it. Using proper toilet posture, soaking in warm water, trying creams and ointments, and keeping your stool soft are go-to ways to help ease discomfort.

While an occasional bout happens to everyone, consistent problems do warrant checking with a doctor to rule out anything serious. But in general, being gentle, reducing friction and straining, and supporting smooth bowel movements can help take the “ow!” out of going number two.

Use these tips to help turn your painful pooping experiences into peaceful, problem-free poops. Your bottom will thank you!