Constipation in adults

Constipation is a very common problem. It either means passing hard or painful bowel motions (poos) or going to the toilet less often than usual to empty your bowels.

Bowel motions

Different people need to pass a bowel motion (have a poo) at different times. For some people it is quite normal to have a poo 3 times a day, while for other people it is quite normal to go just 3 times a week.

If you need to have a poo more or less often than this, there may be something wrong.

Causes of constipation

Constipation can be caused by several different things.

Not eating enough fibre. Fibre-containing foods such as wholegrain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables will help to keep your bowels working regularly.
Not drinking enough fluids.
Holding on, rather than going to the toilet when you get the urge.
Being immobile or not being active enough.
Anxiety or depression.
Side effects of some medications. These include some pain medicines (particularly those with codeine or very strong pain medicines, such as morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl), ondansetron, antacids that contain calcium, some antidepressants and iron supplements (there are many others).
Some medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and other gut disorders.
Pregnancy. People are more likely to get constipated when they are pregnant.

It is uncommon for constipation to be due to bowel cancer but a bowel blockage (when you do not poo for several days and have a painful swollen tummy) may be due to this. This is different to constipation. If this happens, it is important to see your healthcare provider straight away as you may need to go to hospital for treatment.

Diagnosing constipation

It is important that you see your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

a recent change in how often you go to the toilet — for example, if you have just become constipated and there seems to be no obvious cause
bleeding from your back passage (bottom)
alternating constipation and diarrhoea
several days without having a poo or passing wind (farting)
constipation that is not getting any better after about 4 to 6 weeks of home treatment.

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you questions about how often you go to the toilet, what you eat and how active you are. They may ask you to complete a bowel diary. A bowel diary records information such as how urgent your need to go to the toilet is, the time and effort needed and any accidents you have.

They may also examine you. This examination may include a check of your abdomen (tummy) to feel that your organs are normal.

If they think you may have faecal impaction, they may do a rectal examination. This involves putting one finger gently into your anus (bottom) to feel for hard poo.

They may also check you do not have any other disease or condition that might be causing your constipation. You might need a blood test.

Self care for constipation

There are many things you can do yourself to try to deal with your constipation. Try the self-help advice below. If it does not make a difference within 4 to 6 weeks, see your healthcare provider.

Diet

Eat a diet high in fibre and drink plenty of fluids. This can help relieve constipation and stop you getting constipated again. If you are already eating plenty of fibre-rich foods and drinking plenty of fluid, adding more probably will not help. In this case, see your healthcare provider.

Be active

Find ways of being more active. This is important for your general health and wellbeing and may also help you keep your bowels regular.

Going to the toilet

Go to the toilet when you get the urge to move your bowels. If you hold on, it might be more difficult to go later.

Do not sit on the toilet too long. Sitting for longer than 10 minutes can put pressure on your rectum and cause haemorrhoids or a rectal prolapse (when the large part of your large intestine slips outside your anus).

Sit in the correct position:

Sit comfortably on the toilet seat with your knees about hip distance apart and your feet flat on the floor.
Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. If the toilet seat is quite high you could use a small footstool or a pile of books under your feet.
Lean forward a little and rest your forearms or elbows on your knees.
As you lean forward make sure your spine is straight.
Try to breathe to the bottom of your lungs with your mouth slightly open to prevent straining.
Relax and push out your stomach.

If you continue to have trouble with constipation after trying this advice, talk to your healthcare provider about medicines to treat constipation. Keep in contact with them to monitor your progress and adjust medicines if needed.

Treating constipation

Eating and lifestyle measures can help you get over constipation and stop it from happening again. If these changes do not help, your healthcare provider may prescribe a laxative to help your bowels move.

Bulk-forming laxatives are also called bulking agents or fibre supplements. This type of laxative is usually the first one that people try.

Bulk-forming laxatives work by making your poo softer, which makes it easier to pass. You can get them from your healthcare provider on prescription, or you can buy them over-the-counter at a pharmacy. You can also get some at the supermarket. Examples of bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium (Konsyl-D, Metamucil, Mucilax) and wheat dextrin (Benefiber).

Using bulk-forming laxatives

These can have some effect within 12 to 24 hours but it may take 2 to 3 days for bulk-forming laxatives to have their full effect.

It is important to drink plenty of fluid (at least 8 cups a day) if you are taking a bulk-forming laxative as this helps to stop it blocking your digestive system.

While these laxatives help with constipation, some may cause bloating in your abdomen (tummy) or excess wind (farting). You can usually avoid this by starting on a small dose and gradually increasing it. Take them according to the manufacturer's directions or as your healthcare provider, pharmacist or dietitian tells you.
These stimulate the nerves in your bowel so it squeezes harder and pushes the poo (faeces) out. They are available as tablets or capsules that you swallow, or a suppository (a medicine that you put into your bottom).

The tablets or capsule usually take 6 to 12 hours to work but the suppository can work within 15 to 60 minutes.

Senna and bisacodyl are stimulant laxatives.
These work by drawing water from the rest of your body into your bowel to soften poo and make it easier to pass. Sometimes doctors prescribe an osmotic laxative for someone with faecal impaction.

Osmotic laxatives are available as a syrup or a powder to mix with water that you swallow, or a liquid or gel enema that you put into your bottom. The syrup and powders take one to three days to cause a bowel motion but enemas usually work within 30 minutes.

Lactulose and macrogols are osmotic laxatives.
These soften your poo. They are available as drops or tablets you swallow, or a liquid or gel enema that you put into your bottom, The drops or tablets can cause a bowel motion within 12 to 72 hours. Enemas usually cause a bowel motion within 30 minutes.

Docusate is a faecal softener laxative.
Some foods, such as kiwifruit, prunes and linseeds, can help to relieve constipation for some people. Try one of the following at a time:
- 2 green or gold kiwifruit a day
- 6 prunes, twice a day
- 1 teaspoon a day of whole or ground linseed — gradually increase the amount over a few days to 2 tablespoons a day. You can sprinkle linseeds over breakfast cereal or add them to smoothies or baking. Linseeds should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Clinical review

This content was written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. It has been adapted for Health Information and Services.

Clinical advisers — HealthInfo (external link)

Last updated: 28 March 2024