Sticky stools are often caused by a high-fat diet or fat malabsorption. See a doctor if it keeps happening.
Common causes
- High fat meals.
- Fat malabsorption: celiac disease, pancreatitis or Crohn’s disease.
- Lactose intolerance.
- Medicines such as orlistat.
What it looks like
Sticky, pale, floating, greasy and foul smelling stools (steatorrhea).
What to do
Try a lower fat diet.
See a doctor
If it persists more than a few days, or comes with weight loss or belly pain.
Fat in stool
Sticky, greasy or pasty stool that is hard to flush can be due to extra fat that is not absorbed (steatorrhea). The stool may be pale, foul smelling and float.
Dietary causes
- High fat meals, fried food or greasy takeout.
- Olestra and other fat substitutes in some snacks.
- Large amounts of dairy in lactose intolerance.
- Low fiber diet.
- Medications such as orlistat, which blocks fat absorption.
Digestive diseases
- Celiac disease.
- Chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency, in which enzymes needed to digest fat are low.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Crohn’s disease.
- Bile acid problems or gallbladder removal.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
- Giardia and other infections.
Mucus
Sticky stool with mucus can also happen with irritable bowel syndrome, infection or inflammatory bowel disease.
What to do
- Keep a food diary.
- Cut down on fatty foods and see if it improves in a few days.
- Increase fiber and fluids.
- Review medications and supplements.
Tests
A doctor can order stool tests (fecal fat, elastase), blood tests for celiac disease and imaging if needed.
See a doctor if
Sticky, greasy stool lasts more than a few days, or comes with weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood, fever or signs of malnutrition. Black, tarry stool needs prompt care.
Normal variation
Occasional changes in stool consistency after a high fat meal are common and not a concern.
Fat malabsorption
Sticky, greasy, pale, foul smelling stools that float or are hard to flush are called steatorrhea, meaning excess fat in stool. It occurs when the body does not absorb fat well. Causes include celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis, Crohn disease, bile acid problems, bacterial overgrowth, and weight loss medicines such as orlistat. Eating a very high fat meal can cause temporary sticky stools in healthy people. Mucus in stool can also make it appear sticky, and small amounts are normal.
Evaluation and next steps
A doctor may order a stool fat test or a fecal elastase test for pancreatic function, blood tests for celiac disease and imaging. Treatment targets the cause, for example a gluten free diet for celiac disease or pancreatic enzyme replacement for pancreatic insufficiency. Keep a food diary, reduce greasy foods and stay hydrated. See a doctor if sticky stools last more than 2 weeks, or come with weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool or signs of nutrient deficiencies.
Based on data from the NIDDK and the Cleveland Clinic
