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When we're kids, we have a beautiful gift. Why just poop smell bad? Because of it, things inside.

Yeah, like diseases and it's a disease. We can talk freely and happily about something we all make.

I've had red poop and green poop. But when we get older, all that laughter turns into embarrassment. So when we have questions or concerns about our poop.

Why is it hard for me to go? Does my poop smell really bad? I'm like pooping the wrong way. Do I not poop enough?

Is that what you might possibly do? What does that even mean?

We often let those questions fester and myths can see into the gaps left by unanswered questions.

Myths prevent you from having a real understanding of how your body works. They can leave you vulnerable to bad advice, worrying about things you don't need to worry about, and even missing real problems.

Today, we're taking on poop and the digestive system. Look, there's nothing shameful about your body. Not one part of it, and it's healthy to talk about it and to learn about it.

I'm Dr. Jen Gunter from the Ted Audio Collective. This is Body Stuff.

There's one myth I hear all the time that you have to poop once a day. Otherwise, you're constipated and something is wrong.

And something bad might happen to you. But there is no magic number for number two.

Everyone is different anywhere between three bowel movements a day to three a week is typical.

There are a lot of other poop myths out there too, and they thrive in our shame and embarrassment.

And one way to clear them up is to get comfortable talking about poop.

My father in particular was always very open and I would say overly enthusiastic about discussing bowel habits at the dinner table.

But that's really interesting because I got into gynecology probably for the exact reverse.

My mother was the biggest prude in the whole world, and we never ever talked about anything sexual at all.

We all have our different inspirations.

I know, right? Inspiration can come from anywhere.

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