Key takeaways:
Mucus in stool can happen when the intestinal lining becomes irritated or inflamed. There are many things that can cause this, and it’s not always a reason for concern.
Common causes of mucus in stool include constipation, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal infections.
If you experience stool mucus along with blood in the stool, fever, or abdominal pain, it’s important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Mucus is a normal part of the intestinal lining. But seeing mucus in your stool can understandingly be alarming — particularly if you’re not sure what’s causing it.
Any irritation to the digestive tract can cause intestinal mucus to make its way through the intestine with a bowel movement. So, there are many potential reasons why mucus might end up in the stool. Below, we address the most common causes of stool mucus, when you might just keep an eye on it, and when it’s a good idea to reach out to your healthcare team.
What does mucus in stool look like?
Mucus in the stool appears jelly-like and slippery. And it can be different colors — like clear, white, yellow, brown, or red (when mixed with blood).
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It might coat the stool or float separately in the toilet bowl. It can also be mixed into the stool, which might make it harder to see.
If you’ve ever looked into a tissue after blowing your nose when you have a cold, then you have a general idea of what stool mucus looks like. And like mucus from your nose, stool mucus can look different depending on the reason it’s present.
What are the most common causes of mucus in stool?
The causes of mucus in stool can range from harmless to more serious. Here are eight common causes of mucus in stool.
1. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is what many people refer to as “the stomach flu.” It’s a stomach and intestinal infection that’s most commonly caused by a virus. But bacteria or parasites can also cause gastroenteritis.
Mucus can get into the stool when the intestinal lining is damaged by the infecting organism. Certain types of bacterial infections are more likely to cause mucus in the stool, such as:
Some of these can also cause bloody stools.
2. Food poisoning
Some of the organisms that cause the stomach flu can also cause food poisoning. The difference between stomach flu and food poisoning depends on how the illness was transmitted. The most common types of food poisoning that cause mucusy stools include ones caused by:
The mucus seen in these conditions is also often associated with bloody diarrhea.
3. Constipation
Straining to have a bowel movement and passing hard or dry stool can irritate the intestinal lining. Your intestine also makes more mucus to try to move the stool along. So constipation is a common cause of mucus in the stool.
4. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or the anal canal. Even though most people associate hemorrhoids with bleeding, they can also cause irritation of the intestinal lining — especially if you strain while having a bowel movement.
5. Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Both forms of IBD often cause red or blood-tinged stool mucus. Your intestines produce mucus as a protective measure to help heal the inflammation.
6. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that causes symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain. Unlike IBD, IBS doesn’t cause any physical changes to the digestive tract. When people with IBS experience mucus in their stool, it’s typically whitish in color.
7. Proctitis
Proctitis is inflammation of the intestinal lining in the rectum. Common causes include IBD and certain infections. Stool mucus is commonly seen in this condition. The mucus is often red-tinged with blood.
8. Anal fistula
Certain infections or inflammatory conditions like IBD can cause a collection of pus called an abscess. This typically forms deep underneath the intestinal lining. Glands in the anus are particularly prone to abscess formation.
An anal fistula is a connection that forms between an abscess and the outside skin of the anus. And anal fistulas can cause mucus in the stool. The mucus forms in response to the inflammation from the underlying condition or infection. Pus might also be present in the stool when someone has an anal fistula — and it might look similar to mucus.
Is mucus in your stool serious?
Oftentimes, mucus in your stool isn’t a reason to worry. Some of the most common conditions that cause mucus in the stool usually improve on their own. And once they improve, the mucus resolves with them. These conditions include:
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Gastroenteritis
But there are certain symptoms that might be a sign of a more serious condition that needs medical evaluation. And when that’s the case, it’s a good idea to reach out to a healthcare professional.
When to see a healthcare professional for mucus in stool
Consider seeing a healthcare professional if you have mucus in the stool that’s accompanied by any of the following:
Red, bloody, or black stool
A sudden change in your typical bowel habits
Unintentional weight loss
No improvement within 3 weeks
Rectal pain
Abdominal pain
Fever
Frequently asked questions
It can be. Crohn’s disease can cause stool mucus that’s usually red-tinged or mixed with blood. And it’s often reported alongside diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. It’s also possible to pass mucus alone — without stool.
It can be, but mucus in your stool is more likely caused by other conditions. If you experience unexplained and persistent stool changes like diarrhea, constipation, blood in your stool, or a difference in the shape of your stool, it’s worth letting your healthcare team know. They can help you determine if colon cancer screening is appropriate.
Most of the time, you don’t need antibiotics for mucus in stool. Intestinal infections are usually caused by viruses, not bacteria. And even in cases of food poisoning from bacteria, antibiotics are not always recommended. If you’re wondering if you need antibiotics for mucus or diarrhea, talk with your healthcare team first. Many times, antibiotics can do more harm than good.
It can be. Crohn’s disease can cause stool mucus that’s usually red-tinged or mixed with blood. And it’s often reported alongside diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. It’s also possible to pass mucus alone — without stool.
It can be, but mucus in your stool is more likely caused by other conditions. If you experience unexplained and persistent stool changes like diarrhea, constipation, blood in your stool, or a difference in the shape of your stool, it’s worth letting your healthcare team know. They can help you determine if colon cancer screening is appropriate.
Most of the time, you don’t need antibiotics for mucus in stool. Intestinal infections are usually caused by viruses, not bacteria. And even in cases of food poisoning from bacteria, antibiotics are not always recommended. If you’re wondering if you need antibiotics for mucus or diarrhea, talk with your healthcare team first. Many times, antibiotics can do more harm than good.
The bottom line
Mucus in stool might seem concerning, but it’s usually a harmless and temporary reaction to irritation in the digestive tract. If you experience stool mucus along with other symptoms — such as bloody stool or fever — it’s a good idea to reach out to your healthcare team. They can help you rule out a potentially serious cause. Luckily, in most cases, mucus in the stool resolves on its own.
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References
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. (2020). Abscess and fistula expanded information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Shigella infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Clinical overview of yersiniosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Symptoms of Salmonella infection.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Proctitis. National Institutes of Health.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome. National Institutes of Health.
Shane, A. L., et al. (2017). 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Williams-Hall, R., et al. (2022). A qualitative study to explore the symptoms and impacts of Crohn’s disease and to develop the Crohn’s Disease Diary. Quality of Life Research.
