Is Holding in a Fart Bad for Your Health?

Let’s be honest passing gas is a normal part of life. In fact, most people fart between 13 and 21 times a day, according to Houston Methodist. That’s a lot of air and it doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient moment (we’re looking at you, silent-but-deadly meeting fart).

It’s tempting to hold it in and save yourself the embarrassment. But have you ever wondered what really happens when you deny your body the release?

According to Elena Ivanina, DO, MPH, a gastroenterologist and motility specialist, holding in a fart may not be dangerous but it’s definitely not ideal. Here’s what happens to your body when you keep it bottled up, plus how to manage excessive gas in the first place.

Why Do We Fart?

First, a little gut science. Gas in the digestive system is totally normal. It comes from two main sources:

• Swallowed air, especially if you eat too quickly, drink carbonated beverages, or chew gum.

• Gas produced by your microbiome during digestion, particularly as it breaks down fiber in the large intestine.

Gas that isn’t released through burping eventually travels down the GI tract and collects in the rectum. When your body is ready, it releases this air as you guessed it a fart.

What Happens When You Hold It In

Tightening your anal sphincter may prevent a fart from escaping, but the gas doesn’t disappear. Instead, it lingers in the gut, where it can trigger a few unpleasant side effects.

1. Bloating

“Bloating happens as your gut expands with gas and takes up more space in the abdominal cavity,” Dr. Ivanina explains. This can lead to a swollen belly and a feeling of uncomfortable fullness.

2. Abdominal Pain or Pressure

As gas builds up, it increases pressure in the intestines, which can cause cramping or sharp, stabbing pain. The longer you hold it, the more uncomfortable it can become.

3. Gas Can Be Reabsorbed (and Exhaled)

Yes, really some gas can be absorbed into the bloodstream, travel to the lungs, and be exhaled. But don’t worry, it won’t make your breath smell like a fart. The odor-causing compounds typically don’t make it past the gut wall.

4. It Could Worsen Serious Conditions

In rare cases like for people with partial bowel obstructions retaining gas can increase intra-abdominal pressure, worsening distension and potentially leading to more serious complications. But for most people, this isn't a concern.

How to Reduce Excess Gas

You can’t (and shouldn’t) eliminate farting altogether, but these simple strategies may help you reduce how often it happens:

• Track your triggers: Keep a food diary to identify which foods make you gassy. Common culprits include dairy, gluten, and high-FODMAP foods like onions, beans, and certain fruits.

• Eat mindfully: Chewing slowly and thoroughly reduces the amount of air you swallow and less air means less gas.

• Cut carbonated drinks: Bubbles in soda, sparkling water, and beer can add excess air to your digestive system.

• Get moving: Regular exercise stimulates digestion and helps prevent gas from building up.

• Talk to a doctor: If gas is excessive, painful, or accompanied by other symptoms, a gastroenterologist can evaluate for underlying conditions like SIBO or food intolerances.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Hold in a Fart?

The truth is, it’s not dangerous but it’s definitely uncomfortable. Holding in a fart can lead to bloating, cramping, and abdominal pressure. And at some point, your body will find a way to release it anyway.

So if you’re in a situation where letting one rip is out of the question, try to find a discreet moment (and maybe a fan). Because in most cases, it’s healthier to let it go.

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