Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms IBS and Mucus in the Stool By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD Twitter Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Priyanka Chugh, MD Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD LinkedIn Priyanka Chugh, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist in practice with Trinity Health of New England in Waterbury, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Mucus in the stool is a very common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Even so, scant research has been done about it. So no one can say for sure why the mucus is there or what it means about your digestive system. This article looks at possible causes of mucus in the stool and what we know about its role in IBS. What Is Mucus? Mucus is a fluid produced by mucous membranes throughout your body. It moistens and protects the lining of many body parts systems. This includes: The digestive tract Respiratory organs Reproductive organs The urinary tract Mucus can be thin or thick. It may be clear, green, yellow, or white. Mucus in the stool is usually white. Causes of Mucus in Stool Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Several digestive disorders besides IBS are associated with mucus in the stool: Celiac disease Crohn's disease Lactose intolerance Ulcerative colitis Sudden onset of mucus in the stool can be a sign of a bacterial infection. Other symptoms to watch for are:Urgent diarrhea CrampingFeverBloody stoolsCall your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. Why You Might See Mucus in Your Stool Mucus and IBS Mucus in the stool is generally associated with inflammation. But studies on the role of inflammation in IBS don't even mention mucus. A couple of small studies have talked about mucus in IBS. In one, just over half of people surveyed with IBS reported mucus in their stools. Another small study suggested men with IBS were more likely than women to report mucus in their stools. Clearly, more work needs to be done. It's possible that investigating mucus might lead to a better understanding of inflammation's role in the conditions. Summary Mucus lines many organs in your body. It's there to provide moisture and protection. Several digestive disorders involve mucus in the stool. Little research has been done on mucus in IBS. It's unknown whether it's related to inflammation. Studies have reported a 50% prevalence of mucusy stools in IBS. It may be more common in men. A Word From Verywell Mucus in the stool is considered a benign (harmless) IBS symptom. Still, tell your healthcare provider about it. That way, they can check for more serious causes. That process can either set your mind at ease or help you get additional treatments you may need. Frequently Asked Questions Is mucus with diarrhea common? Yes, with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Common causes are bacterial infections from:E. coliShigellaSalmonellaCampylobacterClostridium About 50% of people with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome report mucus in their stool. Learn More: How to Treat a Stomach Infection What does bloody mucus in your stool mean? Bloody mucus in stool is often a sign of colorectal cancer. But it may also be caused by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.Talk to your healthcare provider if you have blood in your stool or other unusual symptoms. Learn More: Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! One of the most challenging aspects of having IBS is trying to figure out what's safe to eat. Our recipe guide makes it easier. Sign up and get yours now! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 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. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome. 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;27(1):22-8. Camacho S, Bernal F, Abdo M, Awad RA. Endoscopic and symptoms analysis in Mexican patients with irritable Bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2010;82(4):953-62. doi:10.1590/S0001-37652010000400018 Vahedi H, Ansari R, Mir-Nasseri M, Jafari E. Irritable bowel syndrome: a review article. Middle East J Dig Dis. 2010;2(2):66-77. St. Clair Health. Mucus in stool: A concern?