There are not many books written exclusively about bowel movements, which is why I appreciated You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy by Dr. Trisha Pasricha. When I first stumbled across it, I knew I had to read it. This is a subject that few of us talk about, yet it’s so important to our overall wellbeing.

The book is divided into three main sections: Part 1: The Secrets, Part 2: The Science, and Part 3: The Survival Guide. In the first chapter, and in a few other sections throughout the book, it was sometimes hard to get past what felt like a somewhat boastful tone. That said, I found the chapter on the ten myths about pooping fascinating, and it sparked more than a few conversations around the dinner table with my family.

The second section focuses on the gut-brain connection, something we’ve been hearing more and more about in recent years. I found this part a little dry, and I suspect it may not be of great interest to many general readers. Throughout the book, however, Dr. Pasricha draws on current research while explaining the science in a way that’s accessible to readers without a medical background.

I think most people will find Part 3 the most valuable. I actually cheered when I read the discussion about bidets, as I’m a relatively new convert, having installed them in my home only a year ago. Now, whenever I travel, I miss them terribly. If you don’t have one, I’d highly recommend doing a little research. Mine isn’t anything fancy, it cost about $50, and my husband installed it in about 20 minutes.

The most enlightening chapter, in my opinion, was the one on women’s gut health. If you do find a book, blog, or article devoted to bowel movements, how often does it focus on the differences between men and women? Dr. Pasricha discusses how bowel habits can be affected by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, topics that are often overlooked.

Other standout chapters include No One Poops Normally on Vacation, Runners with the Runs, and Where the Sun Don’t Shine. The last covers hemorrhoids, flatulence, and accidental bowel leakage, all common issues that many people experience but few are comfortable discussing with anyone.

Although parts of the book can come across as a bit boastful and the humour occasionally feels forced, I really enjoyed it. I’ve read a lot of books about the gastrointestinal tract, and this is the most comprehensive one I’ve found that focuses specifically on bowel movements. Whether you struggle with constipation, diarrhea, IBS, hemorrhoids, or simply want to better understand how your digestive system works, this book has something to offer. The truth is that almost all of us will deal with one or more of these issues at some point in our lives.

Bowel movements may not be a topic we discuss very often, but we should. Our digestive health plays a significant role in our overall wellbeing, and conversations like this help remove some of the unnecessary stigma. My hat’s off to Dr. Pasricha for helping bring the conversation into the mainstream.