If bowel movements regularly leave you pushing, waiting, or feeling like you’re not quite finished, you’re not alone. Many Australians experience occasional constipation, straining, or discomfort when using the toilet.
What surprises many people is that the issue isn’t always related to diet or hydration. Sometimes, it’s the position you’re sitting in.
Modern toilets place the body in a seated posture that differs significantly from the natural squatting position humans used for centuries. Research suggests that body position can influence how easily the bowels empty, how much straining is required, and whether a person feels completely relieved after a bowel movement.
Healthcare professionals generally agree that healthy bowel function depends on a combination of adequate fibre intake, hydration, regular physical activity, and good toileting habits. While a toilet stool is not a medical treatment, it may support a more natural bowel position during defecation.
This is where a toilet stool can make a meaningful difference.
Why Do I Have to Strain Every Time I Poop?
Straining occurs when the body has to generate extra pressure to move stool through the rectum and out of the body.
Several factors can contribute, including:
- Low fibre intake
- Inadequate water consumption
- Physical inactivity
- Constipation
- Certain medications
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Poor toilet posture
One of the lesser-known factors is the angle between the rectum and the anal canal.
The human digestive tract contains a natural bend known as the anorectal angle. A sling-like muscle called the puborectalis wraps around the rectum and plays an important role in maintaining continence. When sitting upright on a conventional toilet, this muscle continues to create a bend in the rectum.
That bend can make bowel movements more difficult, leading many people to strain unnecessarily.
The Science Behind a Toilet Stool
A toilet stool works by elevating the feet and raising the knees above hip level.
This position mimics a partial squat while still allowing you to use a standard toilet comfortably.
When the hips move into a more squatting-like posture:
- The anorectal angle may become straighter
- The puborectalis muscle can relax more fully
- Less pressure may be needed to pass stool
- The bowel may empty more efficiently
Research published in gastroenterology and colorectal health journals has found that adopting a squatting-style posture or using a toilet footstool may reduce perceived straining and improve the feeling of complete bowel emptying in some individuals.
In simple terms, a toilet stool helps put your body in a position that works with your anatomy rather than against it.
What Is the Best Position for Easier Bowel Movements?
Digestive health experts often recommend a posture that encourages relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and promotes efficient bowel emptying.
For most people, that means:
| Recommended Toilet Position | Why It Helps |
| Knees higher than hips | Encourages a more favourable anorectal angle |
| Feet supported on a stool | Creates a stable squatting-like posture |
| Leaning slightly forward | Helps align the rectum |
| Relaxed abdominal muscles | Reduces unnecessary pressure |
| Avoiding prolonged sitting | Minimises strain on rectal tissues |
Many people naturally lean forward during bowel movements because it feels easier. A toilet stool helps achieve and maintain this position more comfortably.
Does a Toilet Stool Help With Constipation?
A toilet stool is not a cure for constipation. However, it can support easier bowel movements by improving toileting mechanics.
Some users report:
- Less straining
- Faster bowel movements
- A greater feeling of complete evacuation
- Reduced time spent on the toilet
For people who experience occasional constipation, a toilet stool can be a useful addition alongside evidence-based bowel health habits.
Eat More Fibre
Fibre helps add bulk and softness to stool, making it easier to pass through the digestive tract.
Good sources include:
- Whole grains
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
Stay Hydrated
Water helps keep stool soft and supports normal digestive function. Even mild dehydration can contribute to harder stools and increased straining.
Keep Moving
Regular physical activity encourages healthy bowel function. Walking, swimming, cycling, and other forms of exercise can help keep digestion moving efficiently.
Can a Toilet Stool Help With Haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus. Frequent straining during bowel movements is one of several factors associated with haemorrhoid development and symptom flare-ups.
Because a Squatty Potty Australia toilet stool may help reduce the effort required to pass stool, it can support more comfortable bowel movements.
Potential benefits may include:
- Reduced straining pressure
- Shorter toilet sessions
- Less stress on rectal tissues
- Improved bowel emptying
It’s important to understand that a toilet stool does not treat or cure haemorrhoids. However, reducing unnecessary straining may help address one of the factors linked to haemorrhoid discomfort.
Signs a Toilet Stool May Benefit You
You may find a toilet stool helpful if you regularly experience:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Occasional constipation
- A feeling of incomplete emptying
- Haemorrhoid discomfort
- Long periods spent sitting on the toilet
- Digestive discomfort related to bowel habits
Even people without significant digestive concerns often report a more comfortable and natural bathroom experience after adjusting their toilet posture.
Why More Australians Are Using Toilet Stools
Australians are increasingly embracing practical wellness solutions that support everyday health.
From ergonomic office furniture to standing desks, people are paying more attention to how body positioning affects wellbeing. The same principle applies in the bathroom.
A toilet stool is a simple, affordable addition that supports a more natural bowel posture without requiring major lifestyle changes. It fits easily into most bathrooms and can become part of a healthy daily routine.
Final Thoughts
Healthy bowel movements depend on several factors, including diet, hydration, physical activity, and digestive health. Yet posture is often overlooked.
A toilet stool helps recreate a more natural squatting position, which may reduce straining, support more complete bowel emptying, and improve overall bathroom comfort.
Small changes often have the biggest impact on everyday comfort. A toilet stool won’t replace a healthy diet or proper hydration, but it can help support a more natural bowel posture and potentially reduce unnecessary straining. If you’ve been searching for a simple way to make bowel movements more comfortable, improving your toilet posture may be one of the easiest places to start.
FAQs
1. Does a toilet stool really help reduce straining?
Ans. Research and user experience suggest that elevating the feet can promote a more favourable bowel position, which may reduce the effort required during bowel movements.
2. How high should a toilet stool be?
Ans. Most toilet stools range between 17 cm and 23 cm high. The ideal height allows your knees to sit higher than your hips while remaining comfortable.
3. Can a toilet stool prevent constipation?
Ans. A toilet stool cannot prevent constipation on its own, but it may help improve bowel emptying when used alongside healthy lifestyle habits such as eating enough fibre, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.
4. Is a toilet stool safe for everyday use?
Ans. Yes. Toilet stools are designed for daily use and are suitable for most adults seeking a more comfortable and natural bowel posture.
5. Can a toilet stool help people with haemorrhoids?
Ans. It may help reduce straining, which is a common factor associated with haemorrhoid irritation. However, it is not a treatment or cure for haemorrhoids.
