I'm passing stool of nearly 0.5-1cm diameter, soft not watery and start with 5 to 6cm in length then ribbon like without any pain in abdomen, no weight loss , never felt heaviness after pooping, no change in bowel movements. Past history perianal fissure found in colonoscopy in 2023 december so is it related to any disease or its normal
Reading File
Reading File
Finding Sources
Searching PubMed
"Stool" AND "colorectal neoplasms"
Searching the Web
NHS bowel cancer symptoms change in stool shape thin stools red flags
Reading File
Reading File
Reading Web Page
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/symptoms
A stool that starts thicker and then becomes ribbon-like can happen from normal variation in stool softness, rectal/anal muscle contraction, posture, and how the stool exits. A single stool diameter of about 0.5-1 cm is not enough by itself to diagnose a blockage or cancer.
Your lack of abdominal pain, bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent constipation/diarrhea, feeling incompletely emptied, or a progressive change in bowel habit is reassuring. A colonoscopy in December 2023 that found only a perianal fissure is also reassuring, especially if the colonoscopy was complete and the preparation was adequate.
An anal fissure is a painful tear and can be associated with anal sphincter spasm, which can temporarily narrow the outlet. However, fissures usually cause pain during/after passing stool and sometimes bright-red blood, so an old fissure without current pain is not a clear explanation for the current shape. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care, p. 689, describes fissures as typically painful and associated with sphincter spasm.
What to do
- Keep stools soft: adequate fluids, dietary fibre increased gradually, regular activity, and avoid straining.
- Observe the overall pattern, rather than measuring individual stools.
- Arrange a routine appointment with a GP or gastroenterologist if this is a new, persistent shape change lasting more than about 3 weeks, becomes progressively narrower, or you are worried. They can review the prior colonoscopy report and decide whether an examination, blood count, FIT stool test, or further assessment is appropriate. The NHS bowel-cancer symptom guidance recommends assessment for concerning bowel symptoms, while also noting these symptoms commonly have non-cancer causes.
Seek prompt medical care if you develop:
- blood in or on stool, or black stool
- new constipation or diarrhea that persists
- unexplained fatigue or iron-deficiency anemia
- unintentional weight loss
- persistent abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, inability to pass gas/stool
- a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, especially at a young age.
So, based on what you described, this does not sound like an emergency and may be normal variation, but I cannot confirm that remotely. If it is genuinely a new ongoing pattern, a non-urgent clinician review is sensible.
No family history, no blood stool , no unintentional fatigue or iron deficiency or anemia as hemoglobin is normal I did test 1-2 month ago , just passing soft stool and ribbon like that's it
Reading File
Finding Sources
Searching PubMed
"change in bowel habits" AND "colorectal neoplasms"
Searching the Web
Mayo Clinic narrow stools when to see doctor persistent change stool shape
That makes a serious cause less likely. With no blood, no anemia, normal hemoglobin recently, no weight loss, no family history, no pain, and no true change in bowel frequency or consistency, ribbon-like soft stool alone is often just a benign variation in how soft stool is shaped as it passes through the rectum and anal muscles.
Your old fissure is unlikely to be active if you have no pain or bleeding, though some variation in anal muscle tone can affect stool shape. A fissure typically causes pain and sometimes small amounts of bright-red blood. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care, p. 689.
It is reasonable to monitor rather than panic. Avoid repeatedly inspecting or measuring every stool, since normal stool shape varies from day to day.
Book a routine GP/gastroenterology review if the narrow/ribbon form is new and continues consistently beyond 1-2 weeks, becomes progressively thinner, or you develop any warning symptom. Mayo Clinic similarly notes that occasional narrow stools are usually harmless, but persistent change warrants medical review in its narrow stools guidance.
Seek urgent care if you develop rectal bleeding, black stool, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, major bloating, or inability to pass stool or gas.
How long should I monitor this stool-shape change?
Reading File
Searching the Web
site:nhs.uk bowel cancer symptoms persistent 3 weeks change in bowel habit
Searching PubMed
"stool caliber" AND "colorectal neoplasms"
Finding Sources
Given your reassuring features and a normal colonoscopy in late 2023, monitor it for up to 2-3 weeks from when you first noticed the consistent change.
- If it varies between normal and ribbon-like, or settles within that time, no specific action is usually needed.
- If it remains consistently narrow/ribbon-like beyond 3 weeks, arrange a non-urgent review with your GP or gastroenterologist. This does not mean cancer, but a persistent new bowel change is worth documenting and examining. The NHS guidance uses more than 3 weeks of ongoing bowel symptoms as a reason to seek medical advice.
- Seek earlier care if blood appears, bowel habits become clearly more frequent/constipated, abdominal pain or bloating develops, you feel incomplete emptying, lose weight, become unusually tired, or cannot pass stool/gas.
For now, keep stools comfortably soft, avoid straining, and do not judge risk from the shape of one bowel movement alone.
Soft stool is normal or harmful
Reading File
Finding Sources
Searching PubMed
"Bristol Stool Form Scale"
Searching the Web
NHS diarrhoea when to see GP loose stools adults normal stool
Soft but formed stool is usually normal and not harmful. In fact, for someone with a history of an anal fissure, soft, easy-to-pass stool is preferable because hard stool and straining can trigger or worsen fissures.
It becomes more concerning if it is:
- watery or unformed
- much more frequent than your usual pattern
- associated with urgency, abdominal cramps, fever, blood, weight loss, or dehydration
- persistently loose for several weeks
Diarrhea is generally loose stools with increased frequency, not simply a soft formed stool. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th ed., describes diarrhea as loose stools of increased frequency.
Based on what you have said, soft formed stool alone is not harmful. Keep normal hydration and a balanced fiber intake, and avoid straining.
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.