Does Constipation affect women more than men?
Not as regular as it should be? You are not alone though!
Constipation is a common chronic condition, and it affects women more than men.
Did you know? One in five people experience chronic constipation, and women are more than twice as likely to suffer from constipation than men.
Constipation is when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week with stools that may be hard, dry, lumpy and which may be difficult or painful to pass. You may have a feeling that the bowel hasn’t emptied completely.
Occasional constipation is quite common. However, chronic and ongoing constipation is not just uncomfortable, but it can also take a toll on the quality of your life. Chronic constipation in women that isn’t treated can lead to complications, some more serious than others.
According to Ayurveda, constipation occurs due to an imbalance in Vata dosha which disturbs your colon, inhibiting its proper functioning. The holistic approach of ayurveda focuses on balancing the vata dosha to treat and cure constipation.
Why Constipation Is More Common in Women
Chronic constipation in women is not only more common than in men but also tends to become more prevalent as they grow older.
It is still not fully understood why women are more susceptible to constipation as compared to men. In fact, the major causes of constipation in women, such as low fiber diet, less fluid intake, medications etc. are equally shared by men and women.
However, there are several other factors which are specific to women, that can increase constipation in women such as:
Hormonal Fluctuations
Women experience frequent hormonal shifts due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. The hormone progesterone increases before menstruation and during pregnancy, slowing down bowel movements leading to hormonal constipation.
Progesterone levels:
Increase in progesterone levels can be the cause of women being more prone to constipation. A rise in progesterone levels relaxes and slows down the muscles of the intestine leading to constipation. This hormone is present in greater amounts in women, than in men.
Menstruation:
Hormone fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle can often cause constipation. Just before the onset of menstruation, the women’s body has a surge of progesterone. This can slow down the digestive system, possibly resulting in constipation just before and during periods.
Pregnancy:
Pregnant women often face severe constipation because there is a rise in the progesterone levels during this period, which can also slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely.
Pregnancy and childbirth may also have adverse effects on bowel habits as they weaken the muscles of pelvic floor. Pressure from the increasing weight of the growing fetus can increase pressure on your bowel, making it harder for waste to be expelled out of your body.
Menopause:
Constipation is common in postmenopausal women, and in the years leading to it. It may be the result of a decline in the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone during this period that can slow down the process of food passing through the digestive tract. When the digestive process takes a longer time, more water is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, leading to constipation.
Also, some postmenopausal women may have weakened pelvic floor muscles. This can make it all the more difficult to eliminate stools, especially when it is hard and dry.
Hypothyroidism:
Low thyroid hormone levels is a very common medical cause of constipation. It is more common in women than men.
Stress & Mental Health:
Women are twice as likely to suffer from severe stress and anxiety when compared to men. Unfortunately, stress hormones can affect gut health and digestion, which can lead to constipation. In addition, when stressed, someone is less likely to have a healthy diet, get proper exercise or sleep, or stay hydrated, all of which aggravates constipation.
Aging
Chronic constipation in women is more common than in men and tends to increase with age. Contributing factors include hormonal changes, medications, and decreased physical activity.
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Other causes and risk factors for constipation
Other common causes of constipation include:
- Medications: Constipation is a side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These include, sedatives, iron supplements, opioid pain medications, certain antidepressants, medications to lower blood pressure or even laxatives.
- Lack of fiber in the diet: Fiber acts as a natural laxative, which holds water in the stool, increases its bulk and makes it easy to pass. If your diet is low in foods rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts, it can affect digestion and passing of stools.
- Insufficient fluid intake: Dehydration, as a result of insufficient fluid intake can cause constipation.
- Underlying medical conditions:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Endocrine disorders like diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism etc.
- Delayed emptying of the colon caused by pelvic floor disorders and colon surgery
- Diverticular disease
- Intestinal obstruction
- Colorectal cancer
- Narrowing of colon or bowel stricture
- Lazy bowel syndrome in which there is slow movement of stool through the digestive tract, due to poor colon contraction.
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis etc.
- Structural defects in the digestive tract like fistula, imperforate anus, colonic atresia, malrotation etc.
- Diseases like amyloidosis, lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma
- Old age: Constipation is more common in older adults. This can be attributed to lack of physical activity, use of certain drugs to treat other medical conditions, slower metabolism and less muscle contraction strength along digestive tract in the elderly.
- Stress: Stress hormones can affect gut health and digestion, which can lead to constipation.
- Lack of exercise: Good muscle tone is generally important for regular bowel movements. Lack of exercise can lead to weaker colon muscles that can lead to constipation.
- Resisting or delaying to evacuate: Overriding the urge to pass stool can increase your risk of being constipated as the stool remains in your rectum where it loses more moisture and eventually becomes dry, hard and extremely difficult to eliminate.
- Travel or changes in regular routine: Alterations in your daily routine such as traveling, eating, or going to bed at different times can cause constipation in some people.
Complications of constipation
For most people constipation rarely causes complications, but people with long-term constipation can develop:
- Hemorrhoids (piles): Chronic constipation may cause people to strain excessively in order to have a bowel movement, which may lead to the development of hemorrhoids in and around the anus.
- Anal fissure: An anal fissure is a small tear in the tissue that lines your anus. An anal fissure most often occurs while you pass large or hard stools or strain to have a bowel movement, both of which are common with constipation.
- Fecal impaction: Chronic constipation can also lead to fecal impaction. This happens when hard stools get stuck in your rectum.
- Rectal prolapse: Over a period, chronic constipation can cause rectal prolapse where a small amount of rectum protrudes from the anus caused by straining when trying to have a bowel movement.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Chronic Constipation In Women
In Ayurveda, constipation is primarily linked to an imbalance in the Vata dosha. When aggravated, Vata dries up the colon, leading to hard stools and irregular bowel movements. Ayurvedic remedies focus on:
Rehydrating the colon with warm fluids
Balancing Vata through diet and lifestyle
Using herbal remedies like Triphala, castor oil, and ghee
Relief & Treatment Options
Diet & Lifestyle Modifications
Fiber Intake: Women should aim for 22–34 grams of fiber daily through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Hydration: Drink at least 1.5–2 liters of water per day.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves bowel motility.
Routine: Establish consistent meal and bathroom timings.
Home Remedies
Warm lemon water in the morning
Soaked raisins or figs at night
Squatting position for better bowel clearance
Yoga Poses for Relief
Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
Malasana (Garland Pose)
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist)
Ayurveda Remedies
Triphala Churna: A mild natural laxative to promote regularity.
Ghee & Warm Milk: Acts as a lubricant and softens stool.
Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Helps balance Vata and stimulate digestion.
Modern Medical Options
Fiber Supplements: Psyllium husk, methylcellulose
Laxatives: Use under supervision. Types include osmotic, stimulant, and stool softeners.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: Especially beneficial for women with muscle dysfunction.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical help if you experience:
Sudden changes in bowel habits
Blood in stool
Weight loss
Constipation lasting longer than three weeks
Severe pain during bowel movements
Diagnostic tests may include colonoscopy, anorectal manometry, and transit time studies.
Prevention Tips
Eat a high-fiber diet
Stay well-hydrated
Exercise daily
Manage stress through yoga and meditation
Avoid delaying the urge to pass stools
Get routine thyroid checkups if symptoms persist
FAQs
Yes. The rise in progesterone just before menstruation can slow down the digestive process.
Women should aim for 22–34 grams of fiber per day.
Yes. Stress hormones like cortisol can slow down digestion, alter gut bacteria, and worsen bowel irregularity.
Hormonal changes, make women more prone to constipation, which is more likely to happen in women at certain times, such as pregnancy, in the days preceding menstruation and all the more common after menopause.
Constipation may not lead to life-threatening complications. However, untreated constipation can cause complications such as, painful hemorrhoids, anal fissures and rectal prolapse.
Occasional bout of constipation goes away with diet and lifestyle changes. However, chronic constipation that isn’t treated can lead to complications, some more serious than others.
Although it is important to add fiber-rich foods to your daily diet, a fiber rich diet alone may not help. Make sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle along with eating a healthy diet. If these changes do not work then it is important to see your doctor for further advice.
Laxatives are common medicines used to treat constipation. However, overusing laxatives can over time can weaken the bowel muscles.
In most cases, constipation improves on its own with simple changes in diet and lifestyle. However, in spite of these changes, if constipation persists and you have pain while passing stools or rectal bleeding, it would be good to consult a doctor.
At Uway we have a panel of distinguished and experienced doctors who can effectively & successfully treat and manage your condition.
Ayurveda medications are usually a very safe and effective option for treating constipation.
At UWAY, our doctors prescribe only proven medicines from well-established and reputed ayurvedic medicine manufacturers. However, just like certain foods do not always agree with everyone, few ayurvedic medicines may cause mild side effects in some patients. This is very rare though. In case you notice any such issue you can always talk to your consulting doctor or our medical team.
Your discussion with our medical advisor can last between 5 to 10 minutes and the doctor consultations can last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
If you are already under treatment for constipation, we require medical records related to the treatment. And details of other medicines you are currently taking, especially for any pre-existing conditions for diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, cardiac issues etc.
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