Why Do Men Have More Frequent Diarrhea? Here's the Scientific Explanation

Illustration of a man having stomach pain (Photo: Freepik/jcomp)

JAKARTA - If you've ever wondered why men often seem to be in the toilet longer when they go to the toilet, you might think there's a medical reason behind it. Why do some men seem to take longer than women to complete this business?

However, the answer turns out to be not about anatomy. In fact, men can actually be faster in the process of defecating than women. A 2009 study in the journal Gender Medicine tried to examine the differences in defecation habits between men and women.

This study looked at a variety of things, from constipation, stool consistency, the need to use fingers to help the process of excretion, to other less comfortable conditions. The results, the researchers concluded, women are more likely to have abnormal bowel habits and constipation than men.

In other words, women tend to have more digestive problems. If you look at it from this side, it is actually women who should spend more time in the bathroom.

Similar findings also emerged in a 1992 study in the journal Gut. Through a questionnaire of nearly 1,900 men and women in the UK, it was found that most people, regardless of gender, do not have completely normal bowel function. However, statistically, women are more often faced with problems related to defecation than men.

However, in practice, men do spend more time in the toilet. The latest survey in the UK by the bathroom equipment company UK Bathrooms, reported by The Daily Mail showed that men on average spend 1 hour 35 minutes per week in the toilet (about 14 minutes per day). Meanwhile, women only spend about 55 minutes per week (about 8 minutes per day).

This suggests that long periods in the bathroom for men are not always just for defecation. For example, research found that 86% of men do most of their reading activities while sitting on the toilet, compared to only 27% of women.

Another study in 2009 in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility also found something similar. Of 499 respondents, more than half of men (64%) and less than half of women (41%) admitted to often reading while in the toilet.

According to Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author of the book "Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days," there is a psychological factor behind this habit. He explained that the bathroom can be a place to find peace from various life pressures. According to him, time in the toilet is often an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the house.

"This place can be a kind of refuge and maybe the only place where they can really be alone," Alpert said, quoted from the Live Science website.

This is especially true for fathers with young children, who may use the excuse of "a long poop" as an opportunity to calm down and clear their minds.

"Some of my clients say that the bathroom is the perfect escape from the task of child care," Alpert said.

"This can be a hiding place because no one will ask what you are doing there, even if you are long. It really can be a safe place," he continued.

The data also showed that fathers tend to spend less time taking care of children and housework than mothers, and have more free time, which may be partly spent in the toilet.

Alpert added that everyone is entitled to privacy in the bathroom, but some use it more than that. On the other hand, sitting too long on the toilet also has health risks. Doctors warn that sitting for too long, especially while straining, can increase pressure on the anus and potentially cause hemorrhoids.

In addition, the habit of lingering in the bathroom can also indicate other more serious things.

"For some people, there are more worrisome reasons, especially if they take their phones to the bathroom," Alpert concluded.

"Many people communicate with secret partners, watch adult content, or use dating apps while sitting on the toilet." he added.

Even so, there is no need to immediately prejudice if the man around you spends a long time in the bathroom. Most likely, he just wants to enjoy a few extra minutes to be alone.