Overview
Constipation means you have fewer than three bowel movements a week, stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy, stools that are hard or painful to pass, or a feeling that not all stool has passed. Everyone's normal is different.
Constipation isn't a disease; it can be a symptom of something else. Most of the time it's from diet, fluids, activity, or medicines, and it gets better with simple changes.
Symptoms
Constipation can be short-term or long-lasting.
- Fewer than three bowel movements a week
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Straining, or stools that are hard or painful to pass
- Feeling that not all stool has passed
- Bloating or gas
Less common
- Belly pain or cramps
- Lower left belly pain
- Pain, itching, or bleeding at the bottom from hemorrhoids or small tears
How it usually goes
- Days: Short-term constipation often follows travel, a change in diet, or a new medicine.
- 1 to 2 weeks: Fiber, fluids, and activity usually help within days.
- Weeks to months: See a healthcare professional if it doesn't go away with self-care.
When to get medical care
Causes
Common causes are not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough fluids, and not being active. Some medicines and supplements cause it, including narcotic pain medicines, iron, antacids with aluminum or calcium, some antidepressants, and some blood pressure medicines.
Other causes include irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor problems, pregnancy, diabetes, low thyroid, Parkinson's disease, and, rarely, a blockage or tumor.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
Who is more likely to get it
- Older adults
- Women, especially during pregnancy
- Low-fiber diet or not drinking enough
- Not being active
- Taking certain medicines, like narcotic pain medicines or iron
Possible complications
- Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins from straining
- Anal fissure: A small tear that hurts and may bleed
- Stool stuck in the rectum: Hard stool that won't pass
Diagnosis
A healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms, diet, medicines, and family history, and do a physical exam. Most people don't need tests.
Questions you may be asked
- How often you have bowel movements, and what your stools are like
- How long you've been constipated
- What you eat and drink, and how active you are
- Which medicines and supplements you take
- Whether you've seen blood, lost weight, or have family members with colon cancer
The exam
They'll check your belly and may do a rectal exam to check for problems like hemorrhoids, fissures, or stool stuck in the rectum.
Tests
Tests are used if constipation lasts, or there are warning signs:
- Blood tests: To check for problems like low thyroid or anemia.
- Colonoscopy: If you have warning signs like bleeding or weight loss, or are due for colon cancer screening.
Treatment
Most constipation gets better with changes to what you eat and drink and how active you are. Over-the-counter laxatives can help for a short time. If these don't work, a healthcare professional may prescribe medicine or suggest other treatment.
Self-care
- Add fiber a little at a time: fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids, especially as you add fiber
- Be active most days, even a walk helps
- Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
- Try a regular time, like after breakfast, to use the bathroom
Medicines
Start with fiber or a gentle laxative. Use stimulant laxatives only for a short time.
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber supplements Psyllium | Adding bulk so stool passes more easily | Drink a full glass of water with each dose. Add slowly to avoid gas and bloating. Don't use for more than 1 week without asking a doctor. |
| Osmotic laxatives Polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLax) | Softening stool by keeping water in it | May take 2 to 4 days to work. Can cause bloating or cramping. Use up to 2 weeks unless a doctor says otherwise. |
| Stimulant laxatives Senna, Bisacodyl | Quicker relief, usually in 6 to 12 hours | Short-term only; don't use more than 1 week without a doctor. Can cause cramps. Frequent use can make your bowels depend on them. |
Medicine names link to drug information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional.
If constipation lasts, a healthcare professional may change a medicine that's causing it, prescribe a stronger medicine, or suggest biofeedback to retrain the muscles used for bowel movements.
How it compares
| Constipation | IBS | Bowel blockage | Colon cancer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stools | Hard, infrequent | Changes; hard, loose, or both | None, and no gas | A change in habits |
| Belly pain | Sometimes | Common, eases after a bowel movement | Severe, with swelling | Sometimes |
| Blood | Sometimes, from small tears | No | No | Sometimes |
| Weight loss | No | No | No | Sometimes |
| Urgent? | Usually not | No | Yes, emergency | See a doctor soon |
Prevention
Healthy habits keep things moving:
- Eat foods with fiber, like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
- Drink plenty of water
- Be active most days
- Go when you feel the urge
- Ask about other options if a medicine makes you constipated
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to a gastroenterologist (stomach and gut doctor).
Back to school, work, or sports
- Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- Children: Children often get constipated from holding in stool. Offer fiber and water, have them sit on the toilet after meals, and see a doctor if it lasts more than 2 weeks. Don't give laxatives unless a doctor says to.
- Pregnancy: Constipation is common in pregnancy. Ask your healthcare professional which fiber supplements or laxatives are safe.
- Older adults: About 1 in 3 adults over 60 have constipation. Medicines are a common cause; review them with your healthcare professional.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Most constipation gets better with simple changes. Long-lasting constipation can usually be managed with the right treatment once the cause is found.
Myths and facts
Myth: You must poop every day.
Fact: Normal ranges from 3 times a day to 3 times a week.
Myth: Laxatives are always safe to use every day.
Fact: Some types aren't meant for daily use. Ask your doctor.
Getting ready for your visit
A little preparation helps.
What to bring
- How often you have bowel movements and what they look like
- A list of all medicines and supplements, including iron and pain medicines
- What you eat and drink in a typical day
Questions to ask
- Could any of my medicines be causing this?
- Which laxative is safe for me, and for how long?
- Do I need a colonoscopy?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Sources
- NIH (NIDDK): Constipation
- NIH (NIDDK): Symptoms & Causes of Constipation
- NIH (NIDDK): Constipation in Children
Last updated 2026-11-12.