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 August 26, 2021 Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD on September 28, 2020 LinkedIn Priyanka Chugh, MD, is board-certified gastroenterologist with a background in internal medicine. She practices with Trinity Health of New England in Waterbury, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print A sudden appearance of mucus in your stool can be alarming for those dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you report it to your healthcare provider you may find she doesn't think it is a major concern. But you may still feel uneasy about it and wonder whether others also experience it. Mucus in the stool is a very common symptom of IBS. It makes it onto the short list of IBS symptoms from the National Institutes of Health. Surprisingly, scant research has been done in terms of finding out what causes the mucus to be there and what the mucus means about how your digestive system is functioning, or for that matter, not functioning as it should. This overview will help you understand the mucus that you see and, perhaps, put some of your fears to rest. What Is Mucus? Mucus is a fluid that is produced by mucous membranes found throughout your body. Mucus serves the purpose of moistening and protecting the lining of many of the body's systems. This includes the digestive, reproductive, respiratory, and urinary tracts Mucus can be thin or thick and may be clear, green, yellow, or white. Mucus found in the stool is usually white. Causes of Mucus in Stool Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell There are several digestive disorders that have been associated with the appearance of mucus in the stool: Celiac disease Crohn's disease Lactose intolerance Irritable bowel syndrome Ulcerative colitis A sudden onset of mucus in the stool, accompanied by urgent diarrhea, cramping, fever, and blood in the stool may be indicative of a bacterial infection. If you are having any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Why You Might See Mucus in Your Stool Occurrence in IBS Considering that mucus in the stool is a common symptom of IBS, there is a glaring lack of research on the subject. Although mucus is generally associated with inflammation, research studies on the role of inflammation in IBS do not even mention mucus. Mucus was discussed in just a couple of small studies. In one study, just over half of the IBS patients surveyed reported mucus in their stools. In another small study, it was found that men with IBS were more likely to report mucus in their stools than women. Clearly, more work needs to be done. It is possible that the investigation of mucus might lead to a better understanding of the role of inflammation in IBS. Should You Be Concerned? Fortunately, the mucus in the stool associated with IBS is considered to be a "benign" symptom. In other words, a symptom that does not indicate any serious health issue. However, as with any unusual symptom, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider is in the best position to evaluate whether or not the mucus you see in your stool is indicative of a more serious health condition. If your healthcare provider has ruled out other digestive health problems, you can take the presence of mucus in your stool off of your internal worry list. Frequently Asked Questions Is mucus with diarrhea common? It's common with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Bacterial infections from E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium are common causes of diarrhea with mucus. Also, about 50% of people with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome report having 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: What You Should Know About Colorectal Cancer 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 Article 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 Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Updated November 2017. 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? Updated July 8, 2020. Additional Reading Camacho S., et.al. Endoscopic and symptoms analysis in Mexican patients with Irritable Bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. 2010;82:953-962. Ghoshal U., et.al. Epidemiological and clinical profile of irritable bowel syndrome in India: report of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Task Force. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2008;27:22-28.