---
title: Log a bowel movement
description: How to record a bowel movement in Poopaya, which fields are required, what the optional ones are for, and how to log an attempt where nothing came out.
app_version: 1.11
source: https://poopaya.com/help/log-a-bowel-movement
---

# Log a bowel movement

Tap the papaya button at the bottom of the screen, pick a Shape, set Urgency, Effort, Amount and Evacuation, then tap Save. That's a complete log, and it takes well under a minute once you've done it a couple of times. Everything else on the form is optional.

### Step 1: Tap the papaya button

The round papaya button sits at the bottom of every screen. Tapping it opens the **New movement** form. The form logs the movement at the current time, so it's best to log right after you go, but you can adjust the time and date on any movement you log.

### Step 2: Pick a Shape

The seven pictures under **Shape** are the Bristol Stool Scale, from type 1 on the left (**Hard pellets**) to type 7 on the right (**Liquid**). Tap the one that looks closest. Swipe the row to see type 7.

If you're not sure, tap the **?** next to Shape for a short explainer on each type, or read [the Bristol Stool Scale, explained](/articles/understanding-bristol-stool-scale). Types 1 and 2 are the constipated end of the scale. If you tried to go and nothing came out, see [When nothing came out](#when-nothing-came-out).

_Screenshot: The New movement form with the fourth shape, Smooth snake, selected._

### Step 3: Set Urgency, Effort, Amount and Evacuation

These four rows plus Shape are the only required fields. Pick one option on each:

- **Urgency:** how badly you needed to go.
- **Effort:** how hard you had to push.
- **Amount:** roughly how much came out.
- **Evacuation:** how empty you feel afterwards.

Each one has a **?** button that explains the options in plain words.

_Screenshot: The form with Shape, Urgency, Effort, Amount and Evacuation all filled in._

### Step 4: Add the optional details you care about

After the required rows, everything else is optional: **Symptoms**, **Alcohol Consumption**, **Hydration**, **Sleep Quality**, **Abdominal Massage**, **Medications**, **Diet** and **Notes**.

You don't need any of them for a log to count. Anything you do add feeds your charts and the app's other smart features, so the more you record, the more Poopaya can do.

If you've already logged earlier today, Poopaya copies Symptoms, Alcohol Consumption, Hydration, Sleep Quality, Medications and Diet over from that log, since those usually stay the same through the day. Update any that have changed.

_Screenshot: The optional part of the form: Symptoms, Alcohol Consumption, Hydration, Sleep Quality, Abdominal Massage and Medications._

### Step 5: Tap Save

Scroll to the bottom of the form and tap **Save**. The form closes, a "Movement recorded!" message pops up (or a milestone, if you just hit one), and the new entry sits at the top of your History list.

_Screenshot: The bottom of the form with the Notes field and the orange Save button._

## When nothing came out

Turn on **Nothing came out** at the top of the form. Shape, Amount and Evacuation disappear, because there's nothing to describe, and Urgency and Effort become optional. Tap **Save** and it's recorded as an attempt.

Failed attempts are worth logging. A run of them is good to know about, for you and for a doctor if you end up seeing one. The other fields are optional, but symptoms, sleep and the rest are still useful to fill in on those days. Log as much or as little as you like.

_Screenshot: The New movement form with Nothing came out switched on. Shape, Amount and Evacuation are hidden._

## Logging something from earlier

By default a **New movement** is logged at the current time. To add a movement for another day, press and hold that day in the History calendar and tap **Add movement**. The form then has a **Date & Time** row at the top that you can change. If you missed yesterday and it broke a streak, Poopaya will ask if you "Forgot to log yesterday?", which does the same thing, so you don't lose your streak.

_Screenshot: The History calendar with a day pressed and held, showing an Add movement button._

## If something doesn't look right

- **Save is greyed out.** One of the five required rows is still empty. Scroll back up and check Shape, Urgency, Effort, Amount and Evacuation. (If you meant to log an attempt, turn on **Nothing came out** instead.)
- **You picked the wrong option.** Tap the entry in History, then tap **Edit**. You can change anything, including the time. **Delete** is on the same screen.
- **The form shows details you didn't enter.** They were copied from your earlier log today (see step 4). Change or clear them before saving.

Logging is free, with no limit. [Poopaya Gold](/help/faq#poopaya-gold-and-billing) adds Charts and Insights on top of what you log.

Poopaya is a tracking tool. It records what you tell it and doesn't diagnose anything. If something in your logs worries you, take them to a doctor.