Constipation

Constipation effects 33% of women. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, straining, hard lumpy stools and a feeling that you have not emptied completely. 

Women typically have a bowel movement every other day if not daily. If you are moving your bowels less than three times per week and you have to strain to have a bowel movement you are constipated.  

What causes constipation? There are many variables that can contribute from medications and supplements, to diet, pelvic pain and changes to the pelvic nerves and pelvic floor muscles. Chronic straining and breath holding during bowel movements can lead to your pelvic floor muscles becoming shortened and too tight resulting in the inability to relax the anal sphincter enough to allow the stool to pass. This can cause more straining which causes more muscle tightness of the pelvic floor.

Simple things like increasing your water and fiber intake, getting regular exercise, and sitting posture on the toilet can help improve your ability to have a bowel movement. Learning how to keep your pelvic floor relaxed through proper breathing, posture and massage can also contribute to improved bowel movements.  

A pelvic floor exam by a pelvic floor physical therapist can tell you if your pelvic floor is contributing to your irregularity. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Check to see if any of the medications you are on contribute to constipation. A pelvic floor physical therapist can teach you self- massage, breathing techniques and postural strategies to manage constipation.  Ask your doctor if physical therapy would help.