At the office or a crowded party. On a plane. Visiting your brand-new significant other’s apartment. We’ve all been there: You’re in the absolute last place you’d ever want to poop, but suddenly you really, really have to go. So how bad would it be to just…hold it in until later? When you feel the urge, the healthiest thing for your body is to simply allow yourself to go then and there, whether or not you’re in the most convenient setting.
The hard poop that might come from delaying your bathroom trip can lead to hemorrhoids too. Hemorrhoids are a super-common complication that can come from straining to poop, which you’re more likely to do if you’re constipated. That means that frequently withholding your poop—and upping your risk of becoming blocked up as a result—can, in turn, increase your chances of developing these swollen veins in the anus and rectum, Dr. Nazareth says.