Bowel Movements 3x per day

Hello,

For as long as I can remember, I have always gone to the bathroom (bowel movement) about three times a day. I never thought this was weird until it came up in conversation with others. Yes, it actually came up in conversation.  Turns out, other people only go once a day, or sometimes once every other day. I feel like I always have to go.

The movement itself is usually soft, but definitely not diarrhea. I have recently been eating Activia yogurt to help to regulate me, and it works - I just go once a day now, but it is accompanied by abdominal pain before I go and bouts of nausea. I have tried taken fiber supplements before, and the abdominal pain was bad, so I stopped and my poo went back to normal.

My doctor is part of a huge 'doctor factory' and doesn't seemed to concerned about my poo. But I am getting worried, especially now that my tummy is hurting. I also have constant gas (also apparently more than most people) and I am not thin. I'm not fat either, but it's not like I am pooping away all my food. In fact, there seems to be no benefit to this problem.

Please let me know if you think I should be concerned and make a doctor's appointment, and how I should approach this topic to a busy doctor.

Thanks!!!

[michell221]

Bowel movements can be different with everyone.  Some people go once a day some 3.  I would not be overly concerned unless your pain is bothering you.  They could check for bacteria that could be causing some tummy trouble.  You could also try a probiotic such as align or culturelle and see if that helps.