Why Men Often Take Longer to Poop
Many sitcoms humorously depict men spending excessive time in the bathroom, and this stereotype might have some truth to it. A survey from a U.K. bathroom retailer suggests that men take longer in the bathroom than women.
While part of this time might be attributed to bowel movements, which typically last only 12 seconds and should ideally not exceed five minutes, it’s evident that men’s extended bathroom stays aren’t solely for this purpose. Here’s an exploration of why this might be the case.
Do men experience more constipation than women? Contrary to what might seem a straightforward reason, experts disagree. Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Yahoo Life, “I think anyone who knows a man knows it’s true that men do spend longer in the toilet or on the toilet than women do, but in reality are much less likely to have bowel issues and chronic constipation than women are.”
Women are more prone to constipation due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, pre-menstrual phases, and post-menopause. Despite this, they aren’t known for lingering in the bathroom as men are.
What could be the underlying biological factors? If constipation isn’t a general issue for men, what explains their prolonged bathroom visits? Madison Simons, a gastrointestinal psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, suggests to Yahoo Life that it might be due to men feeling more at ease in the bathroom than women.
Understanding this requires knowledge of the body’s sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (relaxation-inducing) nervous systems. Digestion requires the body to be in a parasympathetic state. Men can switch more readily between these states, while women might remain longer in the sympathetic state until they feel tired.
Biological, Social, and Personal Factors
Simons theorizes that for men, the parasympathetic state could be more readily activated while using the bathroom, leading them to relax and enjoy rest and digestion before rejoining their daily activities.
While detailed research is scarce, surveys provide some insight. A German study found that men are more inclined to read in the bathroom. Furthermore, a study from the University of Oxford and the University of Canberra revealed that men often use their phones during this time.
Then there’s the social aspect. Women often feel a greater stigma around bowel movements, leading them to be more discreet and quick in the bathroom. Conversely, men may not feel the same pressure and thus spend more time there. Staller observes that discussing bowel movements is often more embarrassing for women, while men might be more open about using this time for themselves.
Lastly, men might see the bathroom as a refuge, a space free from responsibilities or demands. As Simons notes, “You’re not going to be asked to make food for the kids or to solve a problem at work if you are sitting in the bathroom,” “There’s this sense of safety that comes with that — you’re aware in the present moment that there’s only one job you’re accomplishing.”
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