No matter how hard you try to beat around the bush, it’s a fact of life that everybody poos. And yet, other than the odd bit of low-brow humour every so often, it’s one of those things that people, especially women, don’t talk about.
In fact, research by Holland & Barrett found that despite 72% of people in the UK having gut health problems – ranging from feeling bloated, suffering heartburn and constipation – nearly half of us do nothing about it.
Admittedly, it may not be the most glamorous or ladylike thing to talk about, but it really does tell us a lot about our general health.
Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter “It’s a natural bodily function and one that we need to learn to talk about,” says Dr Subashini M. “Not just because it is a good way of understanding our own health but it is needed to help reduce the stigma and shame for those who have bowel disorders.” But, just how much attention should we pay to our bowel habits and when should we worry about any changes?