There’s no one definitive way for poop to smell, other than, well, unpleasant. So what happens if your usual smell suddenly changes drastically or becomes distinctly sweeter than normal? Surprisingly, sweet-smelling poop is possible. “While poop will never be considered a pleasant smell, it should still be recognizable to you,” explains Supriya Rao, MD, a gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. If you detect an unusual sweet odor in your bowel movements or notice a different smell altogether, it could be a sign that something is not quite right with your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Below are some potential causes of sweet-smelling poop, as well as ways to prevent abnormal stool odor, and when to consult your physician about it.
**Supriya Rao, MD, quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine**
### Why your poop smells sweet
Sweet-smelling poop is often associated with C. difficile (C. diff)—a GI infection that can develop after taking antibiotics, according to Dr. Rao. The odor results from elevated levels of bile acids in the stool. Aside from a change in odor, C. diff typically triggers severe symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach pain or tenderness, loss of appetite, nausea, and fever, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “It’s usually very loose diarrhea that’s happening multiple times a day,” states Dr. Rao. Intense diarrhea due to C. diff can increase the risk of dehydration and, in severe cases, escalate into a life-threatening infection. If you suspect C. diff, seeking treatment promptly is crucial. Your healthcare provider will prescribe specific antibiotics to combat the C. diff bacteria.
### Other reasons for changes in poop smell
While C. diff is a common cause of sweet-smelling poop, other factors can influence stool odor states Dr. Rao. These may include:
– **Alcohol:** Excessive alcohol consumption can alter the bacteria in your microbiome by eliminating some beneficial bugs and encouraging the growth of harmful ones, potentially resulting in different poop smells.
– **Certain Foods:** Red meat can impact the smell of your poop due to the sulfur-containing compounds it produces during digestion. If you regularly consume meat, you may not notice any peculiar odors. However, if you infrequently eat meat, you might observe an enhanced odor in your stool after consumption.
– **Antibiotics:** Antibiotics eliminate both bad and good bacteria in your gut, leading to changes in the microbial communities residing there. This can result in a stronger-smelling stool than usual, according to a study from Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
– **Malabsorptive Conditions:** Conditions such as lactose intolerance and celiac disease, which impede the proper absorption of specific foods in the GI tract, can lead to changes in stool odor if these foods are ingested.
And many more reasons contribute to changes in stool odor, some of which can have serious health implications. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider if you notice unusual shifts in the smell of your poop to evaluate any possible underlying conditions.
