Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms IBS and Mucus in the Stool By Barbara Bolen, PhD Updated on June 29, 2023 Medically reviewed by Shadi Hamdeh, MD Fact checked by Zerah Isaacs Print Mucus in stool is a very common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While some mucus is normal, IBS mucus can be excessive and may be visible in the stool. Even though producing large amounts of mucus is common in people with IBS, scant research has been done about it. No one can say for sure why the mucus is there or what it means about your digestive system. This article looks at possible causes of mucus in the stool and what we know about its role in IBS. What Is Mucus? Mucus is a fluid produced by mucous membranes throughout your body. It moistens and protects the lining of many body parts systems. This includes: The digestive tract Respiratory organs Reproductive organs The urinary tract Mucus can be thin or thick. It may be clear, green, yellow, or white. Mucus in the stool is usually white. Is mucus with diarrhea common? Yes, with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Common causes are bacterial infections from:E. coliShigellaSalmonellaCampylobacterClostridium About 50% of people with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome report mucus in their stool. Causes of Mucus in Stool Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health Several digestive disorders besides IBS are associated with mucus in stool: Crohn's disease Cystic fibrosis Intestinal infections (including infections caused by bacteria and parasites) Ulcerative colitis Sudden onset of mucus in the stool can be a sign of a bacterial infection. Other symptoms to watch for are:Urgent diarrheaCrampingFeverBloody stoolsCall your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. Causes of Mucus in Stool Mucus and IBS Mucus in the stool is generally associated with inflammation. But studies on the role of inflammation in IBS don't even mention mucus. A couple of small studies have talked about mucus in IBS. In one, just over half of people surveyed with IBS reported mucus in their stools. Another small study suggested men with IBS were more likely than women to report mucus in their stools. Clearly, more work needs to be done. It's possible that investigating mucus might lead to a better understanding of inflammation's role in the conditions. What does bloody mucus in stool mean? Bloody mucus in stool can be a sign of colorectal cancer. But it may also be caused by Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or an infection. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have blood in your stool or other unusual symptoms. The Causes of Foamy Poop Summary Mucus lines many organs in your body. It's there to provide moisture and protection. Several digestive disorders involve mucus in the stool. Little research has been done on mucus in IBS. It's unknown whether it's related to inflammation. Studies have reported a 50% prevalence of mucusy stools in IBS. It may be more common in men. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome. Taherali F, Varum F, Basit AW. A slippery slope: On the origin, role and physiology of mucus. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 2018;124:16-33.doi:10.1016/j.addr.2017.10.014 Vahedi H, Ansari R, Mir-Nasseri M, Jafari E. Irritable bowel syndrome: a review article. Middle East J Dig Dis. 2010;2(2):66-77. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bacterial gastroenteritis. Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Chey WD, et al. American college of gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018;113:1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41395-018-0084-x Camacho S, Bernal F, Abdo M, Awad RA. Endoscopic and symptoms analysis in Mexican patients with irritable Bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2010;82(4):953-62. doi:10.1590/S0001-37652010000400018 St. Clair Health. Mucus in stool: A concern? Chang L, Heitkemper MM. Gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2002;123(5):1686-1701. doi:10.1053/gast.2002.36603 By Barbara Bolen, PhD Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit