Everyone passes gas from time to time — it’s a normal part of a healthy, functioning digestive system. As embarrassing as it sounds, catching a whiff of your flatus (gas) may clue you in on what’s happening in your intestines. If you’re living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, it’s important to take note of any new or unpleasant odors you notice.
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You may feel like you’re the only person dealing with unusual fart smells with IBD, but rest assured that you’re not alone. Many MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam members have reached out to others for help. One member wrote, “I’m wondering, does anyone else have flatulence issues, like an unpleasant aroma all the time? If so, how do you handle it?”
In this article, we’ll cover what fart smells you may notice while living with IBD and what they mean for your intestinal health. We’ll also let you know when it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist (digestive system specialist) about your gas.
Gas, Your Digestive System, and IBD
Whether you notice it or not, your body passes gas over 20 times a day. Flatulence is how your body gets rid of extra gas from your digestive system. It’s made of carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, and other gasses you make from breaking down food. You also swallow air throughout the day as you eat and drink.
When gas builds up in your digestive system, it can lead to bloating and discomfort. If you have IBD, you may feel gassy and bloated from time to time. This is because IBD causes inflammation and interferes with how well your intestines digest food.
Undigested food that moves into the small intestine and colon is broken down by your gut bacteria, leading to fermentation and gas production. This is why you might have unusual smells to your gas.
Metallic-Smelling Farts May Be Caused by Blood in Your Stool
If you’ve noticed a metallic smell to your gas, the first thing you might think of is blood. Your red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen. Iron can give blood a metallic smell.
In IBD, inflammation in your digestive tract can cause bleeding. You may notice blood in your stool (poop), which can also give off a metallic smell. Iron supplements can also cause stomach issues and may make your gas and stool smell like metal.
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If you’re concerned about intestinal bleeding, be sure to talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
Sweet-Smelling Farts Can Come From a Certain Sulfide
It seems strange, but some people may notice their farts smell more sweet than stinky. Sulfur compounds are known to give gas a certain — and usually unpleasant — smell. However, dimethyl sulfide can sometimes make farts smell sweet. This compound can be found in clams, oysters, asparagus, and some types of cheese. If you’ve recently eaten any of these foods, you may notice a sweet odor to your flatulence.
Foul-Smelling Farts May Be Caused by Diet, Infections, or Medications
Sometimes your gas doesn’t have a specific smell to it — it’s just plain bad. When living with IBD, you may notice your farts become more foul-smelling than usual. There may be several reasons why, including your diet, an infection, or any medications you’re taking.
Your Diet May Cause Smelly Gas
Sometimes, the food you eat doesn’t agree with your stomach. If you have a food intolerance to dairy products (lactose intolerance), you might find that eating cheese or drinking milk can lead to smelly farts.
Other foods like legumes — which include beans and lentils — can give your flatulence a particularly unpleasant smell. Legumes contain carbohydrates and fiber that your body can have a hard time digesting. When your gut bacteria tries to break down the baked beans you had for dinner, it leads to fermentation and gas buildup. This is why you may feel especially gassy after eating legumes.
Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts contain sulfur compounds that give them their distinctive aroma. When your body digests these vegetables, it can give your gas a sulfur-like odor that many say smells like rotten eggs. Other foods and beverages that can cause similar smells include eggs, meats, garlic, onions, and alcohol.
MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam members have shared their experiences after eating certain meals. “I had taco salad for dinner and about an hour later I’m so gassy. It’s so bad, it smells like rotten eggs. What have you guys taken for bad gas?”
Bacterial Infections Can Lead to Unpleasant Smells as Well
Foul gas can also be a sign of a bacterial infection — a cause for concern in people with IBD. Studies show that IBD can raise the risk of gastrointestinal infections. One example is infection with Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. diff). This bacterial infection can develop if you’ve recently taken an antibiotic that destroys your healthy gut bacteria. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an imbalance of C. difficile bacteria can give you smelly gas.
If you’re experiencing other signs of a C. diff infection in addition to foul-smelling farts, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Be on the lookout for symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
Some IBD Medications May Contribute
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Some IBD medications can interfere with your stomach and may give your gas an unpleasant odor. One MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam member noticed a new symptom after they started treatment with infliximab (Remicade) for their IBD. “Anyone have really bad gas after their Remicade infusions? This is my first day after the first infusion and I have gas that stinks like something died.”
Mayo Clinic notes that infliximab infusions can cause stool changes and stomach pain. If you’re experiencing any new side effects with your IBD treatment, let your doctor know. They can tell you what’s normal and what isn’t.
What Your Fart Smells Mean for Your IBD
If your gas seems more odorous than normal, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor or gastroenterologist. Remember, passing gas is a normal body function — but it may be cause for concern if your farts smell worse than they usually do and they’re accompanied by other new symptoms. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may run additional tests to figure out the cause.
You might also notice that your smelly gas is accompanied by equally smelly stool. If you’re concerned about new changes to your stool as well, be sure to bring this up with your doctor. They can help you understand why you’re experiencing smelly stool and offer tips to help. MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam members also recommend keeping air fresheners in their IBD emergency kits to spray away any unwanted smells in public.
Using Gas Smells To Diagnose IBD
Doctors and researchers are also learning more about what different smells can mean for people living with IBD. While your health care provider won’t use smelly farts as an exact way to diagnose or monitor your IBD, new studies are starting to look into the possibility.
One report published in the journal Microorganisms provided an overview of electronic noses (e-noses) to detect organic compounds in passed gas. Some studies have found that bacteria in people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are different from those without. E-noses can detect the gasses that these specific bacteria make — in theory, this may help doctors diagnose IBD.
While this research is promising, more studies are needed to make sure the technology works properly. For now, your doctor will likely stick to the traditional methods for diagnosing IBD — including lab tests and imaging studies to look at your intestines.
Talk With Others Who Understand
MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam is the social network for people with inflammatory bowel disease and their loved ones. On MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam, more than 182,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Do you still have more questions about fart smells and what they mean for you when living with inflammatory bowel disease? Share in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
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