Is the shape of your toilet causing your constipation?
When most people think about constipation, they blame their fibre intake, water consumption or gut health. But, there's another factor that often gets overlooked - your toilet.
It might sound surprising, but the way modern toilets position our bodies can make it much harder to pass a bowel motion comfortably and completely.
Your body wasn't designed to sit at 90 degrees
For thousands of years, humans naturally squatted to empty their bowels. Modern Western toilets place us in a seated position, with our hips and knees at roughly 90 degrees. While this is convenient, it isn't the position our bodies are designed to use for a bowel movement.
When you sit on a standard toilet, a sling-like muscle called the puborectalis wraps around the rectum, creating a bend known as the anorectal angle. This bend helps keep us continent by preventing stool from passing when we don't want it to. The downside is that this bend also makes it harder to empty your bowels.
Think of it like trying to squeeze toothpaste through a hose that's kinked. The contents can still come through, but it takes much more effort!
Why squatting makes a difference
When you raise your knees above your hips into more of a squatting position, the puborectalis muscle relaxes and the anorectal angle becomes straighter.
This creates a clearer pathway for stool to pass, meaning you often don't need to strain as much.
Research has found that a squatting position may:
Reduce straining
Shorten the time spent on the toilet
Improve the feeling of complete bowel emptying
Make bowel motions more comfortable
The toilet stool I recommend
One of the easiest ways to achieve a more natural squatting position is by using a toilet stool.
That's why I stock a toilet stool in my online store that has been designed to elevate your feet while you're sitting on the toilet. It helps position your body in a way that supports easier, more comfortable bowel movements without having to replace your existing toilet.
Many of my patients have noticed improvements in:
Less straining during bowel movements
A greater feeling of complete emptying
Spending less time sitting on the toilet
More comfortable bowel motions
It's a simple, affordable tool that can make a real difference, especially when combined with addressing the underlying causes of constipation.
You can purchase the toilet stool directly through my website and have it delivered to your door.
Support more comfortable and natural bowel movements
If you often find yourself straining, sitting on the toilet for long periods or feeling like you haven't completely emptied your bowels, your toilet posture could be part of the problem.
Our toilet stool is designed to elevate your feet while you're sitting on the toilet, helping to recreate a more natural squatting position. This simple adjustment supports your body's natural anatomy, allowing for a straighter anorectal angle and more relaxed pelvic floor muscles during a bowel movement.
It's an easy addition to your bathroom and one of the first tools I recommend to patients looking to support healthy bowel habits naturally.
Benefits
Encourages a more natural squatting position while using the toilet
May help reduce straining during bowel movements
Supports more complete bowel emptying
Can help you spend less time on the toilet
Suitable for adults and children
Lightweight, durable and easy to clean
Fits around most standard toilets
Who is it for?
This toilet stool may be helpful if you:
Experience constipation or infrequent bowel movements
Often feel like you haven't completely emptied your bowels
Spend a long time sitting on the toilet
Want to support healthy bowel habits naturally
Are looking for a simple, drug-free addition to your gut health routine
How to use
Place the toilet stool around the base of your toilet.
When you're ready to use the toilet, rest both feet on the stool so your knees are positioned higher than your hips. Lean forward slightly, relax your abdomen and breathe normally. This posture helps support a more natural position for passing a bowel movement.
Why I recommend it
As a naturopath, I take a holistic approach to constipation and digestive health. While nutrition, hydration, stress, hormones and the gut microbiome all play an important role, toilet posture is often an overlooked piece of the puzzle.
A toilet stool is a simple, affordable tool that can support the mechanics of a bowel movement and is something I regularly recommend alongside personalised naturopathic care.
Product details
Colours: Pine or brown
Material: Wood
Easy to wipe clean
Lightweight and sturdy
Fits most standard toilets
Please note: A toilet stool is designed to support healthy bowel posture. If you experience ongoing constipation, rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss or persistent changes in bowel habits, it's important to seek assessment from a qualified healthcare practitioner.
A toilet stool isn't a cure for constipation
While changing your toilet posture can improve the mechanics of passing a bowel motion, constipation is rarely caused by one thing alone.
As a naturopath, I also investigate factors such as:
Gut microbiome imbalances
Diet and fibre intake
Hydration
Stress and nervous system function
Hormonal changes
Thyroid health
Food intolerances
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Medications
Physical activity
A
ddressing these underlying factors is often the key to long-term relief.
Small changes can have a big impact
If you're struggling with constipation, try:
Using a toilet stool to elevate your feet.
Leaning forward with your elbows resting on your knees.
Relaxing your abdomen instead of straining.
Breathing slowly while allowing your pelvic floor to relax.
Responding to the urge to go when you feel it.
Staying hydrated and moving your body regularly.
Sometimes the smallest changes have the biggest impact on your bowel health.
If you're looking for an easy place to start, a toilet stool is one of my favourite recommendations. It's simple, practical and works with your body's natural anatomy to support easier bowel movements. Combined with the right nutrition and a personalised treatment plan, it can be an effective step towards improving constipation naturally.