“There’s something fishy going on around here,” you think to yourself as you leave the bathroom — and we mean this literally. If you’ve noticed changes in the odor of your stool recently, you might be wondering what’s happening. Our poop can develop some unusual smells based on what we eat or due to certain health conditions. If your bowel movements have begun to smell like fish, here’s what you need to know.
It could mean that you’ve been consuming a lot of seafood lately. Experts at Statcare Urgent and Walk-In Medical Clinic mention that excessive intake of fish or other protein sources can lead to a fishy odor in our stool. This was the experience of a reader who mentioned to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune medical column that they noticed a fishy smell from their mouth, urine, and bowel movements for days after eating fish. The culprit is a compound called trimethylamine, which is particularly prevalent in deep-saltwater fish. It’s a strong-smelling compound broken down by the body and expelled through sweat and waste. Some people have less of the enzyme that breaks down trimethylamine, which can result in fishier-smelling poops.
You may have developed a bacterial infection
If your bowel movements smell like fish, it could also indicate a bacterial infection, as explained by Statcare Urgent and Walk-In Medical Clinic. Helicobacter pylori is one such bacterium often linked with stomach or small intestine ulcers (according to the Mayo Clinic). Fishy-smelling bowel movements can also be a symptom of a Campylobacter bacterial infection, which can be contracted through eating contaminated, raw, or undercooked poultry, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Another cause might be bacterial vaginosis, an infection due to an imbalance of natural bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to a fishy smell in bowel movements.
Individuals with specific health conditions, such as celiac disease or other nutrient malabsorption issues, may also notice particularly strong-smelling, fishy stools. Celiac disease, which affects an estimated 1 in every 133 people in the U.S., occurs when gluten triggers the immune system to attack the small intestine lining, preventing nutrient absorption (per Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Tips to alleviate a fishy odor
Since various factors can lead to fishy-smelling stool, it’s important to consult your doctor if you notice any sudden changes in the appearance, consistency, or smell of bowel movements. Based on the cause, your healthcare provider may recommend dietary adjustments or medications like antibiotics, probiotics, or digestive enzyme supplements to help reduce a fishy odor (per Statcare Urgent and Walk-In Medical Clinic).
There are also steps you can take to lessen the intensity of foul-smelling bowel movements. Supporting gut health by drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet is beneficial. Reducing fish intake and keeping the anal area clean can also help minimize the chance of a fishy fecal odor. After using the bathroom, always wipe gently from front to back to prevent bacterial spread. When showering, use plain running water to rinse the anus. Although it might seem that soap would clean better, many soap products contain harsh chemicals like fragrances that can irritate the area.
