Check the symptoms

You may have chronic constipation if you've experienced some combination of the following symptoms for any 3 months in the last year:

• Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week
• Difficulty passing stools
• Straining
• Hard or lumpy stools
• Abdominal discomfort and bloating
• Feeling like your bowel is never completely empty
• Feeling like there is something blocking your bowel
• Manual maneuvering to stimulate the bowel

If you suffer from chronic constipation, you may also have emotional symptoms, too. You could find yourself planning your days around the bathroom. Or even miss work as a result.

Identifying a key symptom

The Bristol Stool Scale was developed at the University of Bristol, U.K. It's a measure of stool consistency or form. It can be useful in helping you and your doctor measure patterns or changes. Check it out.

If you think you have chronic constipation, you're not alone

It is estimated that nearly 2% to 28% of the US population has chronic constipation. Both men and women suffer from it. But chronic constipation is 2 times more common in women. More people tend to become affected by it as they get older.

What is chronic constipation?

What are my treatment options?
Find out what can help.