Why It Matters
This score helps you understand the amount of muscular effort involved in your bathroom sessions. It’s based on stool consistency, evacuation timing, and session duration.
Higher strain scores suggest harder stool types (Bristol Stool Scale 1 or 2) or more effort required to pass stool. Lower scores mean smoother, easier evacuations.
Why It’s Important
Tracking strain helps identify dehydration, low fiber intake, or other factors that can slow digestion. Keeping an eye on your Strain Score can guide small adjustments that make a big difference in comfort and gut health.
How To Interpret
Trends matter more than any single visit. A consistently low or stable Strain Score usually reflects comfortable, efficient digestion, while sudden spikes can reveal short-term changes in hydration, fiber, or stress.
Low Strain Scores (0-3) means your body is functioning efficiently, with minimal effort needed for elimination.
Moderate Scores (4-6) may point to occasional dryness, stress, or dietary shifts.
High Scores (7-10) can indicate dehydration, insufficient fiber, or irregular habits that make bowel movements more difficult.
If you see your Strain Score rising over several days, consider increasing hydration or fiber intake. A steady, low score typically signals that your digestive rhythm is healthy and consistent.