What to know about yellow stool with IBS

IBS is a common gastrointestinal condition that affects the large intestine. It can cause various symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and sometimes even yellow poop.

Yellow stool usually isn’t cause for concern if you have an IBS diagnosis. However, you may still want to speak with a doctor if you notice it as a new symptom. They may adjust your treatment plan or ask you to alter your diet.

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IBS and yellow stool

IBS may cause yellow stool for several reasons. If you have IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), you can have a watery yellow stool because the liquid dilutes the color, making it appear more yellow. On the other hand, if you have IBS with constipation (IBS-C), you may develop mucus in your stool, which can also make it appear yellow.

A 2018 review of studies found that IBS may change the gut microbiota, which is the name for the healthy bacteria living in your gastrointestinal system, or gut, which includes your stomach, intestines, and colon. In turn, this may affect the metabolism of bile acids found in your intestines and colon.

The liver produces bile acids. Bile is typically greenish-yellow in color and helps digest fats.

As stool passes through your intestines, gut bacteria break down the bile, which turns it brown. If bile breakdown is reduced, such as when there are issues with the gut microbiota, your stools may look yellow.

According to a 2023 article, another potential cause of yellow stool is steatorrhea. This is the presence of extra fat in the stool. It can make stools bulky, oily, and pale or yellow in color. The condition can be associated with IBS in addition to other gastrointestinal disorders or infections.

Other possible causes of discolored stool may not be related to IBS. Dietary factors, certain supplements, liver issues, gallbladder disorders, and other health conditions can also contribute.

If you have noticed that your stools have changed appearance, consider consulting a doctor who can help identify the underlying causes and provide a suitable treatment plan.

Other IBS symptoms

In addition to yellow stool, IBS can involve a variety of symptoms. These may include:

• Stomach pain: Abdominal cramping or discomfort is a common IBS symptom. The pain may vary in intensity, location, and frequency.
• Diarrhea: IBS-D leads to frequent, loose, and watery stools, often accompanied by a sense of urgency. These watery stools can also be yellow.
• Constipation: IBS-C can cause infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stools, and feeling like you haven’t finished your movements.
• Bloating: Stomach bloating and excess gas are frequent in those with IBS. Certain foods or drinks may worsen bloating — for instance, if you have any food intolerances.
• Mixed bowel habits: Some individuals experience a mixed pattern of diarrhea and constipation, known as IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M).
• Many or few bowel movements: People with IBS may have bowel movements very frequently, more than three times per day, or very rarely, fewer than three times per week.
• Nongastrointestinal symptoms: Some people with IBS may also experience symptoms beyond their stomach and gut. These may include chronic fatigue, sleep issues, or muscle and joint pain.

IBS treatments

Effective management of IBS often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and medications.

Dietary changes

• Increase fiber intake: Fiber may speed up how long food takes to pass through your colon and increase stool bulk and frequency. Soluble fiber may be more effective than insoluble fiber. Good sources include fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as fiber supplements.
• Identifying trigger foods: Certain foods may worsen IBS symptoms in some people. Consider keeping a diary of your symptoms and diet, or talk with a healthcare professional to explore whether an elimination diet is worth a try. An elimination diet can help you identify your potential trigger foods.
• Probiotics: Although research on the link between probiotics and IBS is scarce, probiotic supplements and foods may help promote a healthy gut flora balance and help improve IBS symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

• Stress management: Sometimes, stress may trigger IBS. So, practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or mindfulness may help ease symptoms. Still, more research is necessary in this area.
• Psychological treatment: Evidence from 2019 suggests that some people with IBS may benefit from mental health treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Regular exercise: Low levels of exercise is a risk factor for IBS, so getting more physical activity may help promote bowel regularity and reduce bloating.

Medications

• Antispasmodics: These medications help ease cramping and discomfort. Examples include hyoscyamine (Levbid) and dicyclomine (Bentyl).
• Laxatives: If you have IBS-C, certain laxatives may help relieve constipation. Examples include polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and lactulose (Generlac).
• Antidiarrheal medications: These medications can help manage diarrhea in cases of IBS-D. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
• Probiotics: These help balance the healthy bacteria in your gut, reducing symptoms of IBS. One example is saccharomyces boulardii lyo (Florastor).
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): There is some evidence from 2018 that these can relieve pain and improve mood in some cases of IBS. However, doctors generally do not prescribe antidepressants for this purpose. Examples include doxepin (Silenor), amitriptyline (Elavil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).

It is a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and personalized treatment recommendations.

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Online care for IBS

If you’re experiencing yellow poop, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional. They will be able to offer a diagnosis and get you started with an appropriate treatment plan.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Yellow stool in IBS can result from reduced bile breakdown or fat in the stool. Other potential causes are not related to IBS, such as your diet or other health conditions.

While occasional changes in stool color may be nothing to worry about, persistent yellow stool accompanied by other symptoms of IBS should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional for evaluation and management.

In addition to yellow stool, other common symptoms of IBS include stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and alternating symptoms.

Management of IBS can involve dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and medications, which may vary depending on the main symptoms you experience. A doctor can help tailor a treatment plan to you and your conditions.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.