“TMI Tuesday!”

1. On April 26th, 2011 at 7:10 pm Ashley Says:

   Ok, I have a total TMI question and I’d like to get opinions on. (It’s very, very TMI; you have been warned.) So, I was watching TV the other day and Dr. Oz (that doctor Oprah always has on) was talking about digestive health. And he said that on average, you want to be pooping 7-10 times per week, so once most days or maybe twice on some days. I poop easily 2 times every day and frequently a lot more. (Today, for example, five times.) Is that 7-10 times per week estimate way, way off or am I really, really above average in this area? If you poop “too much” what does that mean about your digestive health? Is something I eat? Something I don’t eat? Too much fiber? (I don’t really think I eat all that much fiber, really.) I just couldn’t believe their were people out there who only poop once on most days, but this isn’t the kinda conversation you can just bring up over lunch at work and get more opinions.

2. On April 27th, 2011 at 7:53 am Not Blue at All Says:

   FYI: poop talk is so not TMI for me, my BFFs and I often joke that we can’t have a conversation without it coming up! Ha-ha!
   The average poop thing is BS in my opinion. I poop 2-3 times daily and have for the last six years. Prior to that it was so sporadic I thought there was something wrong with me. I cut out red meat and lo and behold: normalcy! For me that was the issue. I seriously cannot digest red meat. If I don’t get awful cramping I get other serious bowel issues. I wouldn’t worry too much about frequency, but consistency. Both the times and textures. If you go too much or your poop isn’t solidifying, you may not be absorbing enough nutrition from your foods. Try cutting out oils if this is the case, I did and that has helped. While I see the wisdom in some of Dr.Oz’s stuff/advice, I generally think he’s still stuck in the past with a lot of his concepts. Western medicine overall is stuck in the past, so it’s no wonder. As for fiber? We (women) are supposed to get 30 grams of fiber per day. That is a fuck load of food if you ask me. On average, most foods that already have fiber only have 3 grams per serving. Even things like BeneFiber (those tablets you can mix into water or juice) only have 3-5 grams and only allow for one dosage per day. Obviously we all have trouble getting enough fiber, but it’s the types of fiber we ingest that matter. I am a stickler for my Gala Apple every day (access and quality depending), but there is fiber in so many things we wouldn’t even realize. I hope things work out for ya!

3. On April 27th, 2011 at 3:52 am Psycho Sue Says:

   Did you ever have issues with getting UTIs from having sex?

4. On April 27th, 2011 at 7:56 am Not Blue at All Says:

   I used to get UTI’s all of the fucking time! What changed? I have become a germaphobe and thus not only wash my hands after but also before using the restroom. Also, I (and my husband) wash our hands before and after sex. This made a huge difference. Because of this, I believe, I haven’t had a UTI in a few years now. What I think happens is that bacteria on the hands (from doorknobs, etc) can get into your lady bits and wreak havoc, especially if you have any micro tearing as I often do after really good sex. (Dare I quote Lady Gaga here? Ha-ha!) The other benefit of being OCD on the hands washing thing? I don’t get sick! I used to get a cold for every season, really bad ones that would hang on forever it seemed. Now I get about one cold per year (never had a flu shot and almost never get the flu). This may not be the answer for you, but it’s cheap, easy and worth a shot! <3

5. On April 27th, 2011 at 11:50 am Psycho Sue Says:

   @Sarah: That’s interesting! For me it was all fixed by going pee IMMEDIATELY after having sex. I got them for years and never knew why. Never thought it was sex related at all! It’s that bacteria as you say; and going pee flushes it out!

6. On April 27th, 2011 at 11:54 am Not Blue at All Says:

   Oh! Well, I’ve ALWAYS had to go the moment it’s over. Just my baby bladder I guess. Ha!

7. On April 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm Too Embarrassed to Give My Real Name Says:

   My TMI question also has to do with poop, or rather, the clean up. I like to be VERY clean down there (pretty sure that’s normal), and I think I over-wipe or something. It’s been causing some bleeding, and now I’m worried. It’s not bad and doesn’t hurt, and seems to correspond with wiping a lot. It also seems to get worse when I travel – which I do a lot for work.

   First – should I go to a doctor, even though I’m highly disinclined to deal w/ the fatphobia?

   Second – any suggestions for healing that area and preventing the problem to begin with?

   PS – Thanks for the safe space to ask this kind of question.

8. On April 28th, 2011 at 8:07 am Not Blue at All Says:

   I have had this problem in the past, too. What I think was happening for me was too things: shitty toilet paper (no pun intended) and hot-ish weather. When that area is moist, clean or not, it makes the tissue there more susceptible I think. Also, since it’s already in a vulnerable state from humidity, etc, the poor quality TP can leave micro tears! And when you travel your body is under more stress weather you realize it or not. Simply by being in unfamiliar spaces (and restrooms) can cause more stress. I know that when I was on my honeymoon in Europe, not only did I have hemorrhoids, but I also had the micro tears on the inner-sides of my butt cheeks from being in humid and ever changing climates. Top that off with sandpaper like TP and I was miserable! I use Charmin’s Ultra Strong (red package) and it’s both strong and soft enough for thorough wiping without leaving lint or not standing up to the job. Once the bleeding stops, consider trying the pre-moistened wipes that are so popular now. I tried them and quite liked them, actually. Thanks for the TMI-ness! =0)

9. On April 29th, 2011 at 9:19 pm Rachel Says:

   Ha! I thought it was my ass getting sensitive as I’ve gotten old 🙂 Good to know that I’m not the only one to discover the merits of charmin ultra strong and pre-moistened wipes over the cheap crap.

10. On April 30th, 2011 at 9:07 am Not Blue at All Says:

    Ha-ha! Nope! Not just you, or me, or any one person. And Thank Maude for that! <3

11. On May 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm kat Says:

    re: uti’s after sex….i stopped using lifestyles condoms (instead going for durex or other [unfortunately more pricey] varieties) and i’ve been good to go ever since. when using lifestyles i would get uti’s very very frequently. hope this helps 🙂

12. On May 2nd, 2011 at 8:18 am Not Blue at All Says:

    Okay, that is interesting. Perhaps the lubrication they used in lifestyles gave you a reaction? I know spermicidal lubricants make me feel raw, while non-spermicidal ones do not. But certainly something to think about. Thank you!

13. On May 3rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm Too Embarrassed to Give My Real Name Says:

    Thanks for your response!