It is a trope as old as time. Or at least as old as indoor plumbing. You’re sitting in the living room, the movie is about to start, and your male partner or roommate disappears into the bathroom. Twenty minutes pass. Then thirty. You hear a faint scroll of a TikTok video or the clink of a mobile game. By the time he emerges, the pizza is cold and you’ve scrolled through your entire feed twice.
Men taking forever in the bathroom isn't just a meme; it’s a documented cultural phenomenon. But why do men take longer to poop than women? Is it biology? Is it a secret society meeting happening on the porcelain throne?
Honestly, it’s a weird mix of evolutionary psychology, gastrointestinal mechanics, and a desperate need for five minutes of peace.
The Bathroom as a Modern-Day Sanctuary
For many men, the bathroom is the only room in the house with a lock that people actually respect. Mostly.
In a 2020 survey conducted by Pebble Grey—a bathroom fitting company in the UK—researchers found that one-third of British men admitted to hiding out in the bathroom to get some "peace and quiet." They weren't just using the facilities; they were escaping chores, dodging kids, and avoiding the general chaos of domestic life. The bathroom becomes a sanctuary. It is a "safe space" where no one asks you where the matching socks are or why the dishwasher hasn't been emptied.
Psychologically, this is known as "compartmentalization." While women often multitask or feel a constant "mental load" that makes them want to get in and out of tasks quickly, many men use the bathroom to physically separate themselves from stressors. They sit. They linger. They scroll. It’s a low-stakes meditation retreat with a toilet paper holder.
The Role of "The Scroll"
We can't talk about bathroom duration without talking about the smartphone. Before phones, it was the back of the shampoo bottle or a stack of Reader’s Digest. Now, it’s an infinite stream of sports highlights and Reddit threads.
A study published in the journal Surgical Technology International found that roughly 75% of people use their phones on the toilet. However, the way they use them differs. For many men, the bathroom is the designated time to "catch up" on the digital world. This leads to a phenomenon called "distracted defecation." When your brain is hyper-focused on a 10-minute YouTube video about how to fix a leaky faucet, your body’s natural signals to finish the job and move on get muffled. You stay seated long after the biological process has actually ended.
Biology, Pelvic Floors, and the "Push"
Let’s get into the actual guts of the situation. Literally.
💡 You might also like: Images of Grief and Loss: Why We Look When It Hurts
There are some legitimate physiological differences in how men and women process waste. Interestingly, studies—including those published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology—often show that women actually have slower transit times than men. This means it takes longer for food to move through a woman’s digestive tract, often due to hormonal fluctuations like progesterone, which can slow things down.
So, if women have slower digestion, why do men take longer to poop?
It might come down to the "evacuation" phase rather than the "transit" phase. Men typically have larger pelvic floors and different rectal anatomy. While this doesn't necessarily make the act of pooping harder, it can change the sensation of "fullness."
The Fiber Gap
Then there’s the diet. According to the USDA, men generally consume significantly more calories than women but often fall short on fiber. The "meat and potatoes" stereotype exists for a reason, and a lack of leafy greens leads to stools that are harder to pass. If you aren't eating your broccoli, you're going to be sitting there a lot longer trying to get the job done.
When the stool is firm or infrequent, it requires more effort. This isn't just time-consuming; it's actually a bit dangerous for the body. Chronic straining is the leading cause of hemorrhoids. If you're wondering why do men take longer to poop, sometimes the answer is simply a lack of dietary fiber making the process a literal uphill battle.
The Danger of the "Lingering Sit"
Spending 45 minutes on the toilet isn't just annoying for the person waiting outside; it’s actually pretty bad for your anatomy.
Doctors, including experts from the Cleveland Clinic, warn against the "long sit." The design of a standard toilet puts the rectum at an angle that requires the puborectalis muscle to relax. However, the seated position also allows gravity to pull on the sensitive tissues around the anus.
When you sit on a toilet, your "behind" is essentially suspended over a hole. This creates a vacuum-like effect and puts immense pressure on the veins in the rectal area. If you do this for 30 minutes every day, you are essentially inviting hemorrhoids to move in.
📖 Related: Why the Ginger and Lemon Shot Actually Works (And Why It Might Not)
- The 10-Minute Rule: Most gastroenterologists recommend that if it hasn't happened in 10 minutes, get up and leave.
- The Squatty Potty Factor: Using a stool to elevate the knees above the hips can help align the colon correctly, making the process faster and reducing the need to linger.
Perception vs. Reality: The Gender Gap
Is there a chance men don't actually take that much longer, but it just feels that way?
Maybe. But probably not.
In many households, the "labor gap" plays a role. If a woman feels she has more to do—cooking, cleaning, childcare—she is incentivized to finish her business and get back to the "real world." A man might not feel that same immediate pressure to jump back into the fray. This isn't necessarily a conscious "I'm going to avoid work" thought process, but a subconscious relaxation into the one space where no expectations exist.
Furthermore, some research suggests men are more likely to view the act of defecation as a "session" or an event, whereas women view it as a necessary interruption to their day. It’s a subtle shift in mindset that adds up to about 150 hours of extra bathroom time per year.
Real-World Consequences of the Long Poop
Believe it or not, this has caused real friction in workplaces and relationships. There are countless threads on forums like Reddit’s "Am I The Asshole" (AITA) where partners argue over bathroom time.
One viral post involved a woman who began turning off the Wi-Fi whenever her husband was in the bathroom for more than 20 minutes. While extreme, it highlights the frustration felt by those on the other side of the door.
In the workplace, "time theft" via the bathroom is a real thing. It’s the one place a boss can't really follow you to ask for that TPS report. For many, the bathroom stall is the only "break room" where they truly feel off the clock.
Actionable Steps for a Faster Exit
If you (or your partner) are spending a significant portion of your life on the porcelain throne, it might be time for an intervention. You can actually train your body to be more efficient.
👉 See also: How to Eat Chia Seeds Water: What Most People Get Wrong
1. Leave the phone in the other room. This is the hardest but most effective step. If you don't have a screen to look at, you will suddenly realize how bored you are and how finished your body is. If you must have entertainment, try a physical book; you’ll find you naturally stop at the end of a chapter.
2. Increase soluble and insoluble fiber. Get some psyllium husk or just eat an apple. Better yet, aim for 30-38 grams of fiber a day. Most men are lucky to hit 15. The difference in "transit efficiency" is night and day.
3. Hydrate like it's your job. Fiber without water is just a recipe for a "brick." You need water to keep things moving smoothly.
4. Check for underlying issues. If the reason for the long stay is actual discomfort or the feeling that you can't fully empty your bowels (tenesmus), it’s time to see a doctor. Conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or even food intolerances (like dairy or gluten) can make the process erratic and lengthy.
5. Try a squatting stool. Unkink the hose. By lifting your feet, you straighten the recto-anal angle. It sounds like a gimmick, but the physics of it are sound.
The Bottom Line
So, why do men take longer to poop? It’s a cocktail of biological structure, poor fiber intake, and a deep-seated psychological need for a sanctuary. While it might seem harmless, that 45-minute daily retreat is doing your rectal veins no favors.
The bathroom shouldn't be your library, your gaming lounge, or your hiding spot. It’s a utility room. Use it, finish up, and get back to the pizza before it gets cold. Your body (and your family) will thank you.
Next Steps for Better Gut Health:
- Track your fiber intake for three days using an app like Cronometer to see if you're hitting the 30g mark.
- Implement a "No-Phone Zone" in the bathroom for one week and observe how much time you actually save.
- Consult a GP if you experience pain, bleeding, or if your "marathon sessions" are the only way you can achieve a bowel movement.