As the leading hemorrhoid doctor in Los Angeles, I spend a lot of time educating my patients about the nitty gritty details of proper defecation. Somehow in this age of constant information, this is one area of knowledge that seems perennially neglected. To wit: I am constantly surprised by the number of people who are unaware of the right way to poop.

The problem is that poor posture can lead to pain, irritation, and worse. When you’re pooping wrong, you are raising the odds of developing a medical condition such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or chronic constipation.

Articles like this one occasionally try to dispel some of the confusion, with mixed success. The best advice in the piece comes at the end, and is centered around the idea of pooping when it’s time, not when it’s convenient:

If you have to poop, don’t wait for a better time. Waiting can lead to harder drier poop that can require straining to get out. Adding fiber and drinking more water can help soften the poop so it causes fewer issues; if this is insufficient a stool softener like Colace can help.

Your poop is best served fresh, as it were. That means getting to the commode when the urge strikes, and getting out just as fast. Do not perseverate, strain, or otherwise kill the clock when it’s time to go. If it isn’t happening, stand up and try again later.

For more sound advice on how to clear your bowels and prevent proctological issues down the road, don’t hesitate to contact the Los Angeles hemorrhoid doctors at the Proctology Institute today.