Sorry for the intense title! My question is about stool types. I read something online the other day that the best stool type is bristol type 4. But if I'm being honest, I can get anywhere from a type 3 to type 5 (sometimes all in one bowel motion!).

It's hard to know what is considered "normal" or "common" within the general population as this isn't really something you ask friends and family...

I'm also becoming more increasingly aware of the "plug effect" which I have seen mentioned on here. That first piece can be quite hard but is usually followed by soft pieces thereafter. I always seem to retear when this happens. Especially if I'm sitting waiting for it to come out.

What type did you find helped your healing most?

Personally looking at the chart; I’d say a 5-6. When I get a bad flare up, it’s extremely tight and I have to have very loose stools to avoid retrear. I always find the first bit is firmer not sure if that’s normal though