If you find yourself wiping more than three times after using the bathroom, you may be dealing with “fecal smearing.” According to pelvic health expert Georgia Reupert-Allen, excessive wiping often means stool is remaining at the entrance of the anus rather than being fully cleared.
Wiping repeatedly can irritate sensitive skin. This often indicates that the external anal sphincter is not closing efficiently. This weakness allows small amounts of waste to linger. In some cases, this issue may also be linked to hemorrhoids or scar tissue.
To help the sphincter close properly and reduce the need for wiping, the expert recommends a specific pelvic floor exercise. After finishing your bowel movement, try squeezing your pelvic floor in a “waterfall” formation.
Instead of one big clench, use a gradual approach. Squeeze the area 20 percent, then 50 percent, then 80 percent, and finally 100 percent. This step-by-step contraction helps ensure the sphincter is fully closed. This prevents small amounts of stool from being left behind.
While this technique helps many people, it is not a cure-all. If you still find you need many wipes despite trying this exercise, it is best to consult a medical professional. They can check for underlying issues like internal hemorrhoids that might be causing the persistent smearing.