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Whether you've
Dr. Méndez highly recommends the Squatty Potty Original as the best overall pick. This version can flip to either a 7- or 9-inch height, so no matter what your toilet height, it props your legs up into a squat-like position. This position stimulates your bowel movements and
Looking for an affordable bathroom stool? Look no further than BIILM's squatting toilet stool.
Beyond being easy to use, this stool gets the job done by propping your legs up and initiating the poop position. It has a height of 8 inches, which accommodates most people, including children and older adults.
What sets this toilet stool apart is that it's collapsible (hello, easy storage) and has a non-slip design, so you don't have to worry about putting your weight on it.
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What makes the Travel Porta Squatty ideal for travel is that it's smaller and lighter than other toilet stools. It weighs only 2 pounds and fits into a discreet carrying bag for portability.
Made from durable plastic, the toilet stool can support up to 50 pounds. Bonus: It has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration as a medical device, which means the product has been monitored for safety and effectiveness.
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Unlike some other toilet stools, this one can fold up when it's not in use and you can stow it away in between your cabinet and toilet to save space, says Dr. Méndez.
It's made of natural bamboo, which has antibacterial properties to ward off unwanted germs, and it comes with a dust cover.
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Additionally, it's an FDA-certified medical device. No assembly is required. Simply take it out of the packaging and unfold it to use.
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Going number two just became more stylish with Tushy's Ottoman. With its white base and bamboo leg finishes, the Ottoman looks like a piece of art at a museum.
The stool was crafted with a curve to keep your feet comfortable while you poo, and it comes in two-leg heights: 9 (original) and 7.5 inches (relaxed). The difference between the two is that the original height was built for deeper crouching.
Buy It: HelloTushy.com ($69); Walmart.com ($69)
What to Know Before You Buy a Bathroom Stool
1. How to Tell if You Need One
Dr. Méndez recommends a squatty potty or toilet stool if you have to strain to have a bowel movement, experience constipation, have hemorrhoids or have any type of pelvic floor conditions like prolapse.
2. When to Use
You can use a bathroom stool as much as you'd like. In fact, Dr. Méndez recommends it every time you sit on the toilet.
That's because "it prevents straining and allows for a smoother passage of the stool," she says. "The squatty potty helps prevent the development of hemorrhoids and the worsening of prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders."
3. Height
When looking for a squatty potty, it's important to consider one that's between 7 and 9 inches off the ground, says Dr. Méndez. This position prevents straining and "increases the rectal canal angle, allowing the rectum to open up more for easier passage of stool without straining."
Related Reading
Should You Use a Squatty Potty When You Pee?
