Digestive Health More Digestive Diseases What Can Cause Mucus in Stool? By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 15, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These 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 Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn 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. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Causes When to See a Doctor Diagnosis Treatment Frequently Asked Questions It's normal for stool to have stringy, clear, white, or yellow mucus in it. But when there is enough mucus for you to see in the toilet, it could be a sign that something is changing in your digestive system. Mucus in the stool is a common symptom of some digestive conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can cause it. So can bacterial infections, anal tears or fissures, a bowel obstruction, or Crohn's disease (the second main form of IBD). This article explores some of the main reasons mucus can show up in your stool. It also explains when you should seek medical treatment. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Overview Several organs in the body produce mucus. The mucus produced by your colon (large intestine) protects the lining, creates a healthy environment for good gut bacteria, and eases the passage of stool. Mucus in the stool is not harmful in and of itself. But too much could be a sign of a disease or condition that needs treatment. If the mucus layer is shedding too much, it could make the colon more vulnerable to harmful bacteria. Causes Several conditions can lead to visible mucus in the stool. Here are some possibilities: 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. The Lifelong Management of Ulcerative Colitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS often causes an excess of whitish mucus in the digestive system. It's more often associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS than with constipation-predominant IBS or alternating type IBS (IBS-A). Men with IBS tend to have mucus in the stool more often than women 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. Signs, Symptoms and Complications of IBS 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 an anal tear. An Overview of Crohn's Disease Recap Health conditions that cause inflammation in the bowel can create extra mucus in the stool. 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. What Is Normal Stool After Ostomy Surgery? Bacterial Infections Some bacteria can cause mucus in the stool, including: CampylobacterSalmonellaShigellaYersinia 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. 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 effects most often affect the lungs, but can also impact the digestive tract. The lifelong condition is usually diagnosed during childhood. Cystic fibrosis can also cause constipation and abdominal pain. Mucus in Infant Stool Mucus in the stool of an infant could be a sign of infection. 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. Talk to your baby's doctor about changes in poop. If there is an infection, it will need to be treated right away. Other Causes Mucus 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, it's a good idea to discuss the problem with a healthcare provider—even if it feels a little awkward. It's especially important to see your provider about the following: Blood in the stoolDiarrheaAbdominal painConstipationVomiting 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. Diagnosis If mucus in your stool is new, diagnosing the cause will start with a thorough medical history. A healthcare provider will ask what your bowel movements were like in the past. You'll need to explain how they've changed recently. 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 what is happening. 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 Your treatment will depend on the cause. If inflammation is the problem, 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 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 A little mucus in the stool is normal. Mucus is produced in the intestine, where it helps to foster a healthy digestive system. If you can see mucus, however, it could mean that something new is happening in your digestive tract. A number of health conditions can cause excess mucus. Irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, bacterial infections, and cystic fibrosis can all ramp up your body's mucus production. So can anal fissures, bowel obstructions, ostomies, abscesses, and fistulas. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider if you're noticing mucus in a baby's stool. It's also a good idea to 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 find out what's going on. A good diagnosis is the basis of effective treatment, so these tests will be worth your time. A Word From Verywell If you have IBS or ulcerative colitis, mucus in your stool isn't necessarily cause for alarm. But if mucus is new or increasing, it's a good idea to mention at your next healthcare visit. Frequently Asked Questions What does white mucus in stool mean? White mucus in stool is a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Common symptoms of this disease include abdominal pain that's often related to a bowel movement, a change in overall bowel movements (either diarrhea or constipation), and bloating. If you have these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider so you can get a diagnosis and treatment. How does Crohn's disease affect stool? 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. What does bloody mucus in stool mean? There are a number of reasons why blood or bloody mucus might be found in stool. It could be caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, gastroenteritis, angiodysplasia (caused by weakened blood vessels in the gut), or, less often, cancer. If you're not certain of the cause, check in with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. 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 7 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. 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 National Institutes of Health. How mucus in the colon prevents inflammation and injury. 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 Soares RL. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(34):12144-60. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12144 Crawford SE, Ramani S, Tate JE, et al. Rotavirus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17083. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.83 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Overview of Crohn's disease. 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