Green Stool

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Try one of these related symptoms.

Green poop

My poop is green

About the Symptom

It describes the changing of the stool color from brown to green.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

Possible Causes

Generally, Green stool can be related to:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

Reviewed By:

Samantha Nazareth, MD

Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)

Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).

Aiko Yoshioka, MD

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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Content updated on Feb 6, 2025

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With a free 3-min Green Stool quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.

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FAQs

Q.

Green Poop & Stomach Pain: Causes & When to Worry for Women 65+

A.

Green poop with stomach pain in women 65+ is most often due to foods or supplements that add green pigment, faster gut transit or diarrhea that keeps bile from turning brown, mild stomach bugs, or medications like iron or certain antibiotics. There are several factors to consider, including IBS, gallbladder or bile duct issues, malabsorption, and more serious infections; seek care urgently for severe or worsening pain, fever, blood or black stools, persistent vomiting, dehydration, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms lasting more than 3 to 4 days. See the complete guidance below for specific next steps, what to track, and when to speak to a doctor.

References:

* Jung, H. K., Kim, Y. G., Kim, J., Lim, S., & Kim, C. W. (2020). The Clinical Significance of Stool Color Changes in Adults: A Narrative Review. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 26(3), 321–332.

* Cienfuegos, J. A., et al. (2021). Acute Abdominal Pain in Elderly Patients: A Clinical Update. Gastroenterology Research and Practice, 2021, 6649727.

* Quigley, E. M. (2018). Gastric and Small Intestinal Motility in the Elderly. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 63(7), 1709–1717.

* Kuipers, E. J., & Rösch, T. (2020). Screening for Colorectal Cancer in the Elderly. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology, 44-45, 101676.

* Tursi, A. (2019). Diverticular Disease in Elderly Patients. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 35(3), 329–338.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Green Poop After 65: Causes and When You Should Be Worried

A.

Green poop after 65 is usually harmless, most often from foods or dyes, iron or multivitamins, antibiotics or other medicines, or faster gut transit with mild diarrhea, and normal age-related digestion changes can make these color shifts more noticeable. Be concerned if it lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks or occurs with severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, weight loss, blood or black stools, jaundice, weakness, dizziness, or confusion, or if it begins soon after a new medication; there are several factors to consider, and the full guidance with next steps is provided below.

References:

* Khoshoo V, Reifen R. Stool color and consistency: an enigma no more. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Nov;53(5):455-6. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31823126dd. PMID: 21975932.

* Al Bshabshe A, Mahdi T, Aseeri A, Qayum I, Al Zobidi A. Drug-Induced Discoloration of Urine and Feces. Cureus. 2018 Jun 18;10(6):e2830. doi: 10.7759/cureus.2830. PMID: 29991219; PMCID: PMC6006456.

* Vijayvargiya P, Camilleri M, Shin A. Bile Acid Malabsorption: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016 Jan 30;22(1):3-9. doi: 10.5056/jnm15073. PMID: 26806041; PMCID: PMC4713794.

* Simrén M, Camilleri M. Measurement of gastrointestinal transit: The current landscape and future prospects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2023 Feb;35(2):e14511. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14511. PMID: 36779435.

* Mangin M, Hache G, Maes-Carrez S, Hecquet G, Pautrat R, Verger T, Launay C, De Wazieres B, Lafeuillade A, Berrut G. Gastrointestinal tract: a site for the manifestation of drug-induced adverse reactions in the elderly. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Sep;7(5):619-27. doi: 10.1586/17512433.2014.951509. PMID: 25193980.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Poop Dark Green: Is It Normal or a Warning for Women 65+?

A.

Dark green stool is often normal and temporary, commonly from leafy greens, iron-containing supplements or vitamins, or faster digestion, but in women 65+ it deserves a second look because medications and age-related conditions can play a role. Treat it as a warning if it lasts more than 5 to 7 days or comes with red flags like persistent diarrhea, severe pain, fever, weight loss, blood, or black tarry stool, and speak to a clinician; there are several factors to consider and important next steps, so see below to understand more.

References:

* Ghasemi, N., & Ghasemi, M. (2019). Stool color changes: A diagnostic conundrum. *Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench*, *12*(4), 365–370. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31803138/

* Li, F., Jiang, C., & Zeng, T. (2020). The Interaction between Bile Acids and Gut Microbiota in Aging. *Nutrients*, *12*(5), 1269. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32375173/

* Holte, K., & Jensen, K. G. (2010). The relation between gut transit time and stool characteristics. *Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology*, *44*(4), e89-e93. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20357731/

* Tolkien, S. M., Stecher, T. L., & Mander, G. S. (2015). Ferrous sulfate supplementation: effects on the gut microbiome and metabolome. *Nutrients*, *7*(10), 8345-8360. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26457193/

* Camilleri, M. (2013). Bile acid malabsorption in gastrointestinal disorders. *Digestive Diseases and Sciences*, *58*(2), 269-278. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23161271/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Why Is My Poop Green? Causes and When to Worry (Women 65+)

A.

Green poop in women 65+ is usually from leafy greens or food dyes, iron or multivitamins, or medications like antibiotics, metformin, or laxatives that speed digestion. It often resolves within a day or two when linked to diet or supplements. There are several factors to consider, and you should speak to a doctor promptly if you have persistent diarrhea, blood or black stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, dehydration, weight loss, confusion, or a week of green stools without a clear cause; see below for important details that can guide your next steps.

References:

* Chaudhury, A., Dhaliwal, K., Singh, S. A., & Singh, S. (2022). What's in the pot: A comprehensive review of stool studies for primary care providers. *Digestive Diseases and Sciences*, *67*(11), 5094-5103.

* Ramos, S., Alwan, L. A., & DeMarco, J. A. (2022). Physiology of Normal Stool and the Management of Abnormal Stool in Older Adults. *Current Geriatrics Reports*, *13*(2), 57-65.

* Hadjihambi, O. R., & Srirajaskanthan, R. (2023). Fecal Color: What You Need to Know. *Diseases*, *11*(2), 52.

* Wald, A. (2014). Physiology of normal defaecation and its disorders. *Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology*, *28*(4), 571-578.

* Shreiner, A. B., & Wischmeyer, P. E. (2022). Impact of Chronic Drug Use on Gut Microbiome in Older Adults. *Current Nutrition Reports*, *11*(3), 517-526.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Green Stool and Diarrhea: Understanding Rapid Transit and Bile

A.

Green stool with diarrhea is usually from rapid intestinal transit that does not give bile time to turn brown, often triggered by diet, mild stomach bugs, stress, or antibiotics, but it can also signal infections or digestive disorders and needs attention if it lasts more than a few days or comes with dehydration, fever, blood, severe pain, or weight loss. There are several factors to consider. See below for the full list of causes, red flags by duration, practical home steps, child specific considerations, and how to choose the right next steps or seek medical care.

References:

* Schoenfeld BC, Kashyap PC. Bile Acids and the Microbiota: A Dynamic Interplay in Health and Disease. Cell Host Microbe. 2020 Dec 9;28(6):758-770. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.11.002. PMID: 33271879.

* Walters JRF, Iqbal N. Bile acid diarrhoea: prevalence, mechanisms, and management. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Nov;6(11):939-952. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00159-4. PMID: 34147326.

* Winston JH, Sarna SK. The role of bile acids in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility. Gastroenterology. 2014 Jul;147(1):47-58.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.03.049. PMID: 24704040; PMCID: PMC4073380.

* Kim TY, Kim MK. Clinical significance of stool color: focus on acholic stool. World J Clin Pediatr. 2021 Dec 9;10(6):143-149. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v10.i6.143. PMID: 34938637; PMCID: PMC8670183.

* Farthing MJ. Diarrhoea: a global problem. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Feb;29(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2014.11.006. PMID: 25743452.

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Q.

Doctor Approved: What vegetables are good for breakfast?

A.

Doctor approved picks include leafy greens like spinach and kale, tomatoes and bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and garlic, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower, peas or beans, root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets, and avocado to add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart and liver health. Aim for 2 to 3 veggie servings at breakfast and 5 to 9 total per day, but there are several factors to consider such as IBS, kidney or liver conditions, and the best ways to prepare them; see complete details below, including easy recipe ideas and guidance on when to speak with a doctor.

References:

Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, Ellinger S, Haller D, Kroke A, Leschik-Bonnet E, Müller M, Oberritter H, Schulze MB, Stehle P, Watzl B. (2012). Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality—a systematic review and dose-response meta… Int J Epidemiol, 22933626.

Wai CT, Greenson JK, Fontana RJ, Kalbfleisch JD, Marrero JA, Conjeevaram HS, Lok AS. (2003). A simple noninvasive index can predict both significant fibrosis and cirrhosis… Hepatology, 12758137.

Castera L, Forns X, Alberti A. (2008). Prospective comparison of transient elastography, FibroTest, APRI, and… Gastroenterology, 18472184.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Why is my poop green and what is the meaning?

A.

Green poop can be caused by eating certain foods, taking iron supplements, or having a fast digestive process. It usually isn't serious, but if it keeps happening, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

References:

Lo TS, & Borchardt SM. (2009). Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea Due to Methicillin-Resistant .... Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease, 19232861.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19232861/

Tan CK, Chao CM, & Lai CC. (2013). Green feces. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians, 22232742.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22232742/

Malacaman EE, Abbousy FK, Crooke D, & Nauyok G Jr. (1985). Effect of protein source and iron content of infant formula .... Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 3876420.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3876420/

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References