Squatty Potty Benefits & Complaints

Ndesho ThomasLast Updated: January 17, 2024

For the past years, the modern toilet has been scrutinized for not offering maximum ease of bowel movement. This encouraged the introduction of the Squatty Potty. Invented by Robert Edwards, this stool was designed to fit under the traditional sit toilet to elevate your feet and force you into a squatting position.

Medical doctors, specialists, holistic health professionals, and naturopaths have supported numerous empirical evidences from researchers that state squatting is the best and healthiest position for your bowels. Furthermore, they go further to encourage that they can even ease several modern-day ailments such as hemorrhoids, bloating, and constipation.

Nonetheless, squatting poses a health issue for the elderly and those with injuries making this posturing hard to absorb.

Investing in a squatty potty in this day and age requires one to think about it and make an informed decision based on facts. That’s what we intend to do. Below are the benefits and complaints of the squatting stool as raised by users and professionals.

Picture of squatty potty — Squatty potty

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Benefits

Faster Elimination

The number one advantage to this stool has to be faster elimination. As scientists explain, the squatting position allows for gravity to work its course therefore encouraging faster and smoother bowel movements.

Once the feet are elevated by the stool, there will be pressure felt around the torso as the thighs press against it and puts more pressure on the colon.

Naturally, this gentle pressure along with the force of gravity will relax the puborectalis muscle, allowing the anorectal angle to straighten and the bowel to empty.

Still, in light of allowing ease of movement, squatting will help you avoid pushing back waste into the small intestines. As you’re in the squatting position, the sigmoid colon releases the kink situated at the entrance of the rectum.

This not only helps to prevent incontinence but it also simultaneously closes the inlet valve, keeping waste from pushing back up into the small intestine.

Ease the Strain of Constipation

Whether it’s dehydration, lack of fiber, or simply the sitting position, squatting can easily ease the strain of constipation by positioning one at the right angle where all the valves open allowing for the free flow of waste.

Although this squatting position isn’t the only remedy for constipation, it plays a major role in allowing you to pass hard dry stool. Of course, other efforts such as hydrating and taking plenty of fiber can also go a long way in easing the strain.

Relieves Some Medical Ailments

The goal of introducing the potty from way back then has always been to allow for smoother bowel movements. But as time went by, positive results have been seen with other medical ailments. For example;

Hemorrhoids

These are inflamed varicose veins located in the anus that often bleed once too much pressure is felt. This is common during the passing of stool. The Squatty Potty has allowed for the passing of hard stools much easier, therefore, reducing the effects of painful and swollen hemorrhoids.

Colon Disease

A testimony from the inventor himself Robert Edwards, he states that the squatty potty really aided his mother who was then suffering from colon cancer.

The stool played a major role in minimizing any buildup in the colon leaving us with healthy colons.

The greatest benefit comes in when the body now can absorb all the nutrients introduced into the body system, thanks to a healthy colon.

Urinary Difficulty/Infections

Targeting the women, urinary flow is hastened and stronger with the position pushing for pressure against the bladder which in turn empties it. This also helps prevent the occurrence of Urinary Tract Infections, which is quite common.

Pelvic Floor Issues

Lastly, eliminating pelvic floor issues that may arise with the sitting posture. As you sit, you put weight against the back part of the colon, causing pressure on the anorectal angle of the colon causing the lower part of the colon to drop and protrude into the wall of the vagina.

To protect the pelvic floor nerves, squatting has been encouraged as it can help both men and women avoid such issues.

All For One Product

The best thing about this stool is its versatility. The fact that it can be used by toddlers to the elderly.

Manufacturers have come up with different designs in terms of height and length to allow all ages to use it.

From as low as five inches up to nine inches. You simply pick what’s best for you and your family.

Complaints-Cons, Disadvantages

Unfortunately, it’s not all good news with the Squatty Potty.

First off, the posture the stool warrants tends to be impractical for certain ages especially older people and also those with physical injuries and challenges.

Yes, the stool may offer great help medically but if one isn’t comfortable or can’t even rest in that squatting position, then the stool is rather pointless.

Secondly, all the facts stated above are only empirical evidence from researchers and a few testimonials from users. There’s no hard evidence that the stool did eliminate these medical ailments like constipation, hemorrhoids, or pelvic floor disorders. This remains to be a home remedy and not a medical cure for any of the problems stated above.

Lastly, the squatting position may cause the passing of stool and other bowel movements harder. In the case of sitting vs squatting, much support that squatting is best as it’s backed by research and several medical professionals, however, in some cases, the body may not be relaxed enough to allow for smooth bowel movements.

Overall, is it a good or bad stool?

In summary, the squatty potty is a good stool as it offers more benefits than downsides. Yes, the initial positioning of the potty can be rather discomforting but the results are beneficial. Besides eliminating the continence mode encouraged by the sitting position, there is more good than bad.