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Mucus in stool itself isn’t harmful, but the cause may require treatment. What you need depends on what’s affecting you.

Causes of Mucus in Stool

Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.

Updated on October 06, 2022

Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Mucus in stool is normal, but it’s not usually visible to the naked eye. When it is—you may notice stringy clear, white, or yellow goop in the toilet or clinging to your poop—it could be a sign of a health concern that needs treatment.

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Possible causes of mucus in your stool include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other digestive disorders. Bacterial infections, bowel obstructions, and anal tears (fissures) also can cause it.

This article explores some of the main reasons mucus can show up in your stool. It also explains when you should seek medical treatment and how a healthcare provider will figure out the cause.

Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee

Mucus in Stool Causes

Several conditions can lead to visible mucus in the stool, including:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Anal abscess or fistula
• Ostomy
• Bacterial infection
• Bowel obstruction
• Cystic fibrosis

Ulcerative Colitis

In ulcerative colitis , the mucus membrane of the large intestine is inflamed. It develops small sores called ulcers. These ulcers can bleed and produce pus. They can also make enough mucus to be seen in the stool.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS often causes an excess of whitish mucus in the digestive system. It’s more often associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) than with constipation-predominant IBS or alternating type IBS (IBS-A).

Anxiety and stress may cause mucus in the stool when it coexists with IBS-D. That’s also true of depression, which has long been associated with IBS symptoms and diagnosis.

IBS cause mucus in stool. Males tend to have IBS-related mucus in the stool more often than females with IBS.

Researchers aren’t sure exactly why the condition results in so much extra mucus. Extra mucus with IBS does not mean there’s a major problem or that the disease is becoming more serious.

Crohn’s Disease

Passing mucus in the stool is less common in people with Crohn’s disease. It can sometimes mean that you’re developing an anal fissure, or a tear in the lining of the anus.

However, Crohn’s disease can affect stool in some people by causing diarrhea. Ileocolitis is the most common form of Crohn’s disease. It causes inflammation of the terminal ileum (the end point of the small intestine) as well as the colon (large intestine).

Anal Abscess or Fistula

An abscess is an infection that creates a pocket of pus inside the body. It’s a problem that occurs more often in people with Crohn’s disease, particularly in the perianal area.

In about 50% of cases, an abscess gets large enough to form a tunnel between two organs, or between the skin and an organ. This is called a fistula. The abscess or fistula may drain mucus into the stool.

Abscesses and fistulas need treatment. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics or other medications. In some cases, the abscess will need to be surgically drained.

Ostomy

Some people who have had ostomy surgery (either ileostomy or colostomy) may pass mucus from the rectum.

With an ostomy, stool leaves the body through the stoma, not the rectum and anus. But the rectum still creates fluid. If mucus builds up, it can cause discomfort and pressure. This can be passed by sitting on the toilet.

Bacterial Infections

Some bacterial infections can cause mucus in the stool. These infections include:

• Campylobacter
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Yersinia

Bacterial infections may also cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Some bacterial infections get better on their own without treatment. Others may need antibiotics. If you think you may have a bacterial infection, especially after traveling abroad, call your healthcare provider.

Mucus in Infant Stool

Mucus in the stool of an infant could be a sign of infection that needs immediate treatment. It’s important to find out if it is truly mucus because normal baby poop comes in all colors. Mucus in your baby’s stool might be stringy or slimy and look green. See your healthcare provider.

Bowel Obstruction

If something blocks your bowel, you may notice excess mucus in your stool.

Bowel obstructions can also cause:

• Constipation
• Severe cramps
• Abdominal bloating
• Vomiting

A bowel obstruction could be caused by several conditions, including:

• Impacted stool
• Adhesions (scar tissue)
• Hernia (tissue that bulges through a weak or torn muscle)
• Gallstones
• Tumor
• Swallowing an object that isn’t food

Obstructions are typically treated in the hospital. Sometimes the blockage has to be removed surgically.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes the body to make too much mucus. The mucus most often affects the lungs, but it can also impact the digestive tract.

The lifelong condition is usually diagnosed during childhood. Cystic fibrosis can also cause constipation and abdominal pain.

Other Causes

Mucus in stool can accompany constipation. It may resolve on its own when the constipation is treated.

Dehydration can also lead to excess mucus in the stool. It is likely to go away on its own unless dehydration is a chronic problem. In these cases, treating the underlying problem may resolve the issue of too much mucus.

When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider

If you haven’t been diagnosed with a health condition that typically causes excess mucus in stool, it’s a good idea to discuss what you’re experiencing with a healthcare provider.

It’s especially important to see your provider about the following:

• Blood in the stool or mucus
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Vomiting

If you have a health condition that affects your colon and your stool, make sure you keep track of any changes to your stool and discuss any changes with your healthcare provider.

The mucus produced by your colon protects the lining, creates a healthy environment for good gut bacteria, and eases the passage of stool. If the mucus layer is shedding too much, it could make the colon more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Diagnosis

If you are first noticing mucus in stool, see your healthcare provider. Diagnosing the cause will start with a thorough medical history. They will ask what your bowel movements were like in the past and what has changed.

Your healthcare provider may also order some tests to help pinpoint the cause. Stool cultures, blood tests, and imaging studies like CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays are often used as diagnostic tools.

In some cases, a healthcare provider may need to do other testing, such as an endoscopy, to figure out why there is mucus in your stool. Endoscopy is a test in which a small camera on a flexible tube is used to see the inside of the colon and rectum. In many cases, though, it’s not necessary to do invasive testing to find the cause.

Treatment

Mucus in stool itself isn’t harmful, but the cause may require treatment. What you need depends on what’s affecting you.

If inflammation is the problem, for example, treatment will focus on reducing the inflammation before it causes other symptoms.

When the mucus is caused by IBS or IBD, getting those conditions under control will help to reduce mucus production in the large intestine.

Excess mucus might mean a current treatment is no longer working well and a change needs to be made.

Summary

Mucus is produced in the intestine, where it helps to foster a healthy digestive system. Mucus in stool isn’t necessarily serious. But excess mucus could mean that something new is happening in your digestive tract.

A number of health conditions, including IBS or a bacterial infection, can ramp up your body’s mucus production. So can anal fissures and bowel obstructions. Mucus may appear in a baby’s stool too.

Seek medical care if mucus happens along with abdominal pain, blood in your stool, vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation. You may need tests, including stool cultures, blood tests, imaging studies, or endoscopy to get a proper diagnosis and begin effective treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does white mucus in stool mean?

White mucus in stool is a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This may be accompanied by abdominal pain (often related to a bowel movement), diarrhea or constipation, and bloating.

What does bloody mucus in stool mean?

Bloody mucus in stool may be due to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, gastroenteritis, angiodysplasia (caused by weakened blood vessels in the gut), or, less often, cancer. See your healthcare provider.

What foods cause mucus in stool?

Foods high in sugars, or those linked to food allergies like gluten, may cause more mucus in stool. Researchers think high-fat and low-fiber foods may contribute to intestinal inflammation that alters mucus production.

Does gastritis cause mucus in stool?

Gastritis is more often associated with blood in the stool. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, but other factors including stress, diet, and smoking may contribute to its development. So can certain chronic illnesses.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. National Institutes of Health. How mucus in the colon prevents inflammation and injury.
2. Cornick S, Tawiah A, Chadee K. Roles and regulation of the mucus barrier in the gut. Tissue Barriers. 2015;3(1-2):e982426. doi:10.4161/21688370.2014.982426
3. Soares RL. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(34):12144-60. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12144
4. Lu J, Shi L, Huang D, Fan W, Li X, Zhu L, et al. Depression and Structural Factors Are Associated With Symptoms in Patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020 Sep 30;26(4):505-513. doi:10.5056/jnm19166
5. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Overview of Crohn’s disease.
6. Crawford SE, Ramani S, Tate JE, et al. Rotavirus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17083. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.83
7. Kamphuis JBJ, Mercier-bonin M, Eutamène H, Theodorou V. Mucus organisation is shaped by colonic content; a new view. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):8527. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-08938-3
8. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome.
9. Parrish A, Boudaud M, Kuehn A, Ollert M, Desai MS. Intestinal mucus barrier: a missing piece of the puzzle in food allergy. Trends Mol Med. 2022 Jan;28(1):36-50. doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2021.10.004.
10. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Gastritis.

Additional Reading

• Ghoshal UC, Abraham P, Bhatt C, et al. “Epidemiological and clinical profile of irritable bowel syndrome in India: report of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Task Force.” Indian J Gastroenterol. 2008 Jan-Feb;27:22-28.
• Kornbluth A, Sachar DB; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. “Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee.” Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105:501-523. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2009.727
• Sun J, Shen X, Li Y, et al. “Therapeutic Potential to Modify the Mucus Barrier in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Nutrients. 2016 Jan 14;8. pii: E44. doi: 10.3390/nu8010044
• Tai IC, Huang YC, Lien RI, et al. “Clinical manifestations of a cluster of rotavirus infection in young infants hospitalized in neonatal care units.” J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2012 Feb;45:15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2011.09.023
• Zhu L, Huang D, Shi L, et al.”Intestinal symptoms and psychological factors jointly affect quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.” Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2015 Apr 18;13:49. doi: 10.1186/s12955

By Amber J. Tresca
Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.

White Stringy Stuff in Stool

Have you ever used the bathroom and then looked down to see white stringy stuff in the stool? It can be very frightening to see this, as it looks like thread or even a worm. What might be causing this?

White Stringy Stuff in Stool: Why and What to Do

Here are a few things that might be causing the white stringy stuff in your stool:

1. An Overload of Mucus

Healthy stool usually has some mucus in it – it might be white or yellow, but is present in such small amounts that you probably can’t see it. However, if you see a great deal of white stringy stuff, this might mean you have more mucus than usual. This can be caused by numerous problems that have to do with the stomach or bowel. Here are a few:

• Ulcerative Colitis. In this condition, the mucus membrane of the large intestine becomes inflamed and ulcers form on it. The ulcers bleed and then create more mucus and even pus.
• IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is known for producing excess mucus in the intestines. It is much more common among those who have diarrhea as the main symptom, and less likely among those who complain of constipation.
• Crohn’s Disease. Though mucus is not a common occurrence in the stool of those with Crohn’s, those who notice it should pay very close attention – it might be the start of an anal fissure.
• Bacterial Infections. Several bacteria that attack the intestines can lead to mucus and white stringy stuff in stool. Though some of these infections might resolve in a few days without treatment, others might be chronic and require medical attention. Talk to the doctor if you suffer from fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
• Bowel Obstruction. An obstruction in any part of the bowel means that not much will be passing through it. One of the signs of this problem is mucus in the stool, as well as severe constipation, cramps, vomiting and abdominal distention. It can be caused by anything from swallowing a foreign object to a hernia or scar tissue.
• Proctitis. This inflammation of the rectum lining can be caused by a wide variety of issues, including radiation therapy, inflammatory bowel disease, sexually transmitted diseases and some food-borne pathogens. The result is rectal bleeding, mucus in stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling, and the need to go to bathroom quite often. A course of antibiotics works for some cases, but others might require surgery.

What to Do

Excess mucus in stool usually indicates a digestive problem, especially if it is accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Collect the stool sample and go to the doctor for a test. This enables your doctor to diagnose the underlying problem earlier. Seek emergency help if the mucus is accompanied by dehydration, fever, and blood in the stool.

2. Candida

Candida can also appear in the stool. The fungus starts out in a yeast form but can change into a mycelial form under the right conditions. This makes the fungus penetrate the walls of the intestines, which then allows passage of food particles and pathogens into the bloodstream. The body tries to get rid of it, which is why you see white stringy stuff in stool.

The symptoms of Candida infection include:

• Bad breath
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation, etc.

What to Do

In most cases, an overgrowth of Candida can be removed from the body through a few simple remedies.

• Antifungal herbal teas, along with edible essential oils, can help clean out the gut.
• Probiotics, such as the good bacteria found in yogurt, are a great way to help the process along.
• It’s also a very good idea to focus on a diet that is very low in sugar and carbohydrates; remember, if the Candida doesn’t have the proper food to feed on, it can’t grow quickly.

3. Pinworm

Though the idea of having worms in your gut might make you feel sick, it does happen to many people. Pinworms are the most common culprits. They start out as tiny eggs, make their way to the digestive system, and mature in the intestines. They then lay more eggs in the anal area, and the process begins again. Adult worms live for up to six weeks, and can look like white stringy stuff in stool. The infection usually includes a serious itching around the anal area, difficulty sleeping and being irritable all the time. Severe infections include:

• Being nervous or restless
• No appetite and weight loss
• Vaginal itching and irritation

What to Do

Treatment medications include Piperazine and Mebendazole. Everyone in the family should be treated, since pinworms spread very easily. Good hand washing and excellent hygiene can help prevent reinfection.