On Being"Regular"
The importance of the regularity of defecation has been greatly overestimated. Many people have the misleading notion that a daily bowel movement is critical for good health. As with many other body function, what is "normal" differs form person. Whereas many people defecate one or more time per day,some normal, healthy adults defecate on the average only every other day. A defecation rate of only twice per week, however, is usually described as constipation. Habitually postponing defecation when the defecation reflex occurs can lead to constipation and may eventually result in desensitization of the rectum so that the defecation reflex is greatly diminished.