Version July 2025
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What is constipation? —
This is a common problem that makes it hard to have bowel movements. Your bowel movements might be:
●Too hard
●Too small
●Hard to get out
●Happening fewer than 3 times a week
What causes constipation? —
It can be caused by:
●Side effects of some medicines
●Poor diet
●Diseases of the digestive system (figure 1)
What other symptoms should I watch for? —
These symptoms could be signs of a more serious problem:
●Blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper after having a bowel movement
●Fever
●Weight loss
●Feeling weak
It could also be a sign of a problem if you have new constipation without a change in your medicines or diet, and have never had constipation in the past.
Will I need tests? —
Your doctor or nurse will decide if you need tests based on your age, other symptoms, and individual situation. There are lots of tests, but you might not need any.
Here are the most common tests doctors use to find the cause of constipation:
●Rectal exam – Your doctor look at the outside of your anus. They also use a finger to feel inside the opening.
●Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy – The doctor puts a thin tube into your anus. Then, they advance the tube into your large intestine. The large intestine is also called the colon. The tube has a camera attached to it, so the doctor can look inside your intestines. During these tests, the doctor can also take samples of tissue to look at under a microscope (figure 2).
●X-rays, CT scan, or MRI – These create images of the inside of your body.
●Manometry studies – This lets the doctor measure the pressure inside your rectum at various points. It can help them find out if your muscles that control bowel movements are working right. The test also shows whether your rectum can feel normally.
What can I do on my own? —
You can try the following:
●Eat foods that have a lot of fiber. Good choices are fruits, vegetables, prune juice, and cereal (table 1).
●Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
●When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, go to the bathroom. Don't hold it.
●Try having a bowel movement first thing in the morning or soon after a meal.
●When you are trying to have a bowel movement, certain positions might help. Try leaning forward slightly and using a stool or foot rest under your feet.
●Take laxatives. These are medicines that help make bowel movements easier to get out. Some are pills you swallow. Others go into your rectum.
●Get regular physical activity. Some people find that this helps.
How is constipation treated? —
It depends on what is causing your constipation. First, your doctor will ask you to try eating more fiber and drinking more water. If this and the above tips do not help, they might suggest:
●Medicines you swallow or put in your rectum
●Changing the medicines you take for other conditions
●Using "enemas" – Enemas can be just water, or they can contain medicine to help with constipation.
●Biofeedback – This is a technique that teaches you to relax your muscles so you can let go and push bowel movements out.
How can I help prevent constipation? —
You can reduce your chances of getting constipation again if you:
●Eat a high-fiber diet (table 1).
●Drink water and other fluids during the day. This helps keep your bowel movements soft.
●Set a regular schedule to try and have a bowel movement. Do not ignore the urge to go.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:
●Your symptoms are new or not normal for you.
●You do not have a bowel movement for a few days.
●The constipation comes and goes, but lasts longer than 3 weeks.
●You are in a lot of pain.
●You have other symptoms that also worry you, such as bleeding, weakness, weight loss, or fever.
●Other people in your family have had colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
Patient education: Managing constipation from your medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Ulcerative colitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Crohn disease in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Irritable bowel syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Bloody stools in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Hemorrhoids (The Basics)
Patient education: Sigmoidoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: High-fiber diet (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use rectal medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: How to give an enema (The Basics)
Patient education: Constipation in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Ulcerative colitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Crohn disease (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Irritable bowel syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hemorrhoids (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: High-fiber diet (Beyond the Basics)
