2025 Guide: What Causes Foul-Smelling Stools and How to Identify Them

Unpleasant odors from stools can result from your diet or certain medications, but persistent foul-smelling stools might signal an underlying health issue.

While stools naturally have some odor, an unusually strong, offensive smell can be a sign of changes in diet, gut bacteria, or digestive health problems.

Persistent foul odors in stools warrant attention as they may indicate serious conditions.

Read on to understand the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foul-smelling stools.

Common Causes

Several factors can contribute to foul-smelling stools and associated digestive symptoms.

Dietary Influences

Temporary foul odors often stem from consuming foods high in sulfates, which can produce smells similar to rotten eggs.

Such foods include:

• Meat, poultry, and seafood
• Vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and leeks
• Legumes such as soybeans and black beans
• Eggs and dairy products
• Grains including pearl barley, oats, and wheat
• Beverages like alcohol, cider, and coconut milk

Certain foods may also trigger digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or intolerances to lactose and gluten.

Malabsorption Disorders

Malabsorption occurs when the body fails to absorb nutrients properly, often due to issues in the small intestine or related organs such as the gallbladder, pancreas, blood vessels, or lymphatic system.

Conditions causing malabsorption include:

• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Cholestasis
• Liver diseases
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis)
• Short bowel syndrome
• Lactose intolerance
• Carbohydrate intolerance

Infections

Intestinal infections can cause foul-smelling stools alongside symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Common infectious agents include:

• Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Salmonella
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection
• Giardiasis

Medications and Supplements

Antibiotics, while fighting bacterial infections, can disrupt gut flora leading to diarrhea and foul-smelling stools. These symptoms usually resolve after completing the antibiotic course.

Over-the-counter vitamins, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K, may also cause gastrointestinal side effects including foul-smelling stools. Consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements, particularly if you have allergies, are pregnant, or smoke.

Additional Symptoms to Watch For

Foul-smelling stools may be accompanied by:

• Diarrhea
• Excessive gas
• Abdominal bloating

Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Blood in stool
• Black or pale stools
• Fever or chills
• Severe abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss

How Are Foul-Smelling Stools Diagnosed?

Most cases resolve without treatment, but persistent symptoms lasting over 48 hours require medical evaluation.

Diagnosis involves a detailed medical history, physical exam, and may include tests such as stool analysis, blood tests, hydrogen breath tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy, skin prick tests, and imaging like MRI or ultrasound.

Treatment Options

Temporary foul-smelling stools often resolve on their own or after addressing the underlying cause, such as completing antibiotics.

Chronic conditions may require comprehensive treatment plans including medication, surgery, and dietary management.

Consult a healthcare professional for personalized treatment.

Preventive Measures

Dietary Adjustments

Identifying and eliminating trigger foods through an elimination diet can help manage symptoms. Gradual reintroduction helps pinpoint problematic foods.

Professional guidance from dietitians is beneficial, especially for conditions like IBD where a low FODMAP diet may be recommended.

Food Safety Practices

Prevent infections by practicing proper food hygiene: avoid cross-contamination, handle meat and seafood safely, store food correctly, and ensure thorough cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What can cause foul-smelling stools?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Foul-smelling stools can result from certain foods like broccoli and eggs, infections in the digestive tract, malabsorption due to conditions like IBS or celiac disease, and some medications."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What virus causes foul-smelling stool?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Foul-smelling stools can be caused by viral or bacterial infections including gastroenteritis, E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium difficile (C. diff), and giardiasis."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does Giardia smell like?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Giardiasis typically causes greasy or foul-smelling diarrhea, often accompanied by gas and abdominal cramps."}}]}

What can cause foul-smelling stools?

Foul-smelling stools may arise from consuming certain foods, infections, malabsorption syndromes, or medications.

What virus causes foul-smelling stool?

Infections such as viral gastroenteritis, E. coli, Salmonella, C. difficile, and giardiasis can cause foul-smelling stools.

What does Giardia smell like?

Giardia infection leads to greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea along with other digestive symptoms.

Summary

While some odor in stool is normal, an unusually strong, offensive smell can indicate dietary factors or serious health issues.

If foul-smelling stools are accompanied by symptoms like blood, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, consult a healthcare provider promptly.

Stay informed and proactive about your digestive health for overall well-being.

Read this article in Spanish.

Discover engaging topics and analytical content in Sexual Wellness as of 01-08-2023. The article titled " 2025 Guide: What Causes Foul-Smelling Stools and How to Identify Them " provides new insights and practical guidance in the Sexual Wellness field. Each topic is meticulously analyzed to deliver actionable information to readers.

The topic " 2025 Guide: What Causes Foul-Smelling Stools and How to Identify Them " helps you make smarter decisions within the Sexual Wellness category. All topics on our website are unique and offer valuable content for our audience.