We all hold in farts on occasion. Sometimes we feel a fart coming in at work. Or we’re in a confined space with strangers, and aren’t feeling evil. Or we’re dating someone and we haven’t reached that stage of comfort yet. Or we’re hanging out with someone’s family and want to make a good impression. We hold it in, we tense up, and we do whatever it takes to keep that gas from escaping our butt.
But is this doing us any damage? Is it bad to hold in your farts?
The short answer is that yes, it really is better out than in, and if you need to fart, you should.
The good news is that it’s unlikely that holding in your farts will do you any serious damage – but it can lead to embarrassing consequences.
“If you get an excessive build-up of intestinal gas it can lead to bloating, which can be really uncomfortable, and often embarrassing too if your stomach is making strange gurgling noises,” Gill Hart, the scientific director of YorkTest Laboratories, tells Metro.co.uk.
Holding in your farts can cause bloating and discomfort, leaving you awkwardly squirming in your seat. Read more