Chronic constipation can be so much more than just a “tummy” issue. Your symptoms could be affecting your pelvic floor. The straining that goes along with constipation can eventually lead to pelvic floor prolapse. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of constipation before an untreated issue leads to damage to your pelvis. People suffering with constipation should know that treatments exist that can relieve symptoms and help to restore healthy bowel activity.
What Is Chronic Constipation?
Chronic constipation is characterized by difficult, infrequent, or incomplete bowel movements. Generally, having less than three bowel movements per week can qualify. It’s estimated that 63 million people in North America meet the criteria. For some, the strain that accompanies stubborn bowel movements can lead to pelvic floor issues.
Symptoms of Chronic Constipation
You can be pretty confident that your bowel issues meet the criteria for chronic constipation if you’re having less than three bowel movements per week. Additional symptoms can include:
- Straining when using the bathroom
- Hard stools
- Pellet-like or lump stools
- Incomplete bowel evacuation during a single bathroom visit
- A feeling of fullness or blockage in the rectum
- Inability to pass stools
Can chronic constipation cause weight gain? Yes, weight gain and bloating can be signs. This is usually temporary weight gain caused by water weight and stool retention.
The Connection Between Chronic Constipation and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) happens when pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum drop or bulge. This can cause pressure, heaviness, or a feeling that something is loose or dropping out. While POP is most common after childbirth, it can also be triggered by any kind of chronic strain. The repetitive straining that occurs when living with long-term constipation can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and connecting tissues to cause POP.
Pelvic floor prolapse due to chronic constipation often goes untreated because most people don’t make the connection between their bathroom habits and their pelvic floor pain or dysfunction. If you have a pelvic floor prolapse, symptoms might include:
- A feeling of pressure of heaviness in the abdomen or vagina
- Visible bulging in the vaginal opening
- Urine incontinence, a sense or urgency when urinating, or a slow stream when urinating
- Pain in the lower back
- Vaginal spotting
How to Treat Chronic Constipation
Lasting constipation shouldn’t be ignored. In most cases, lifestyle and diet changes can help to improve gut health and reverse bowel issues. The most common treatment for chronic constipation is increasing your fiber intake. Most American adults eat just 10 to 15 grams of fiber daily. This falls dramatically short of the official recommendation for 25 to 38 grams daily for men and women. Easy ways to add fiber to your diet include beans, lentils, oats, and fruits. Fiber supplements can help when getting adequate fiber alone through diet is a challenge.
Hydration also plays a role in easing constipation. Insufficient water/fluid intake dramatically increases a person’s risk for constipation. In addition to making stools harder and lumpier, dehydration also decreases the pace that waste moves through the intestines.
Lifestyle also matters. Exercise actually increases regularity by stimulating bowel movement and increasing blood flow to the colon. Additionally, how you use the bathroom can matter. Avoid getting in the habit of holding it in. If you’re struggling to stay regular, consider sitting on the toilet at the same time each day following a meal to “train” your body. There’s also some evidence that your positioning on the toilet matters. For example, raising your knees can make it easier for stool to pass through your colon. Modern toilets don’t necessarily offer the best economic design for healthy, complete bowel movements. This is why many people use special toilet stools to raise their knees.
Conclusion
Knowing what causes chronic constipation is just the first step. Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms won’t get away just because you’ve treated the root cause of constipation. The next step is seeking out gentle and effective ways to restore your pelvic organ and live without the hassle and worry of pelvic instability.
