Increase fibre gradually
Aim for about 25 g of fibre a day for women and 38 g for men, increasing by about 5 g a week to limit gas and bloating.2 Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, prunes and legumes are good sources.1
Health education · DigestionDigestive health
Constipation: causes, symptoms and how to relieve it
Constipation isn’t just about how many bowel movements you have. It can also mean hard stools, a lot of straining or the feeling that your bowel isn’t completely empty.
The goal is comfortable stools that are easy to pass, at your usual rhythm. There is no “ideal” number of bowel movements, and you don’t have to go every day.2
Symptoms
How do you recognize constipation?
Constipation is when it is hard to have a bowel movement or you go less often than usual.1
Fewer than three bowel movements a week is often a sign of constipation, but frequency alone is not enough to decide. According to a study cited by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, anywhere from three a week to three a day can be normal.2 Someone who goes every day can also be constipated if passing stool is difficult or incomplete.
Causes
What are the causes?
Several factors can contribute to constipation. The difficulty can also come from how stool is passed, so the cause is not always diet.5
Can medications be the cause?
Yes. Some medications and supplements can promote constipation, including opioids, iron, calcium, some antidepressants and some blood pressure medications.2,5
Check with your pharmacist whether constipation could be a side effect of a medication.1 Don’t stop a prescribed medication without talking to a professional.
Home care
What can you do to relieve constipation?
These measures are the foundation of treatment:
Stay hydrated
Drink about 2 to 3 L of water a day between ages 12 and 64, and 1.6 to 2 L from age 65, unless a professional advises otherwise.1 Follow any prescribed fluid restriction.3
Get moving
Get at least 20 minutes of activity a day, for example a 20- to 30-minute walk after a meal.1
Listen to the urge
Go as soon as you feel the need, without holding it in.3 The morning, after breakfast, is often the best time.3
Get into position
Feet on a small stool, upper body leaning forward, muscles relaxed. Breathe out while pushing instead of holding your breath.1,3
Santé Québec also suggests a small glass (120 ml) of prune or fig juice 30 minutes before meals, and limiting alcohol, tea, coffee and very sugary or energy drinks.1
If you have a risk of bowel obstruction, ask for advice before increasing fibre.3
Treatments
Which treatments can be used?
When these measures are not enough, treatment can help. Ask your pharmacist before taking a laxative.1 The choice depends on the cause, symptoms, health status and medications already taken.
| Type of treatment | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bulk-forming laxatives (fibre, psyllium) | Increase stool bulk; slow-acting, suitable for regular use, but can cause bloating.5 |
| Osmotic laxatives | Draw water into the bowel to soften stools. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lactulose are examples.5 |
| Stimulant laxatives | Increase bowel contractions; for use over short periods.5 |
| Stool softeners | Soften stools; mostly useful for prevention, for example with hemorrhoids.5 |
| Suppositories or enemas | Used in certain situations, on a professional’s advice.1,5 |
| Prescription medications | May be considered for some persistent constipation, including constipation caused by opioids.5 |
The different types are not interchangeable: a pharmacist can help you choose a product and tell you how quickly it works. Needing regular treatment calls for assessment and follow-up.
Avoid laxatives and enemas if you have unexplained abdominal pain, digestive bleeding or a suspected bowel blockage: get assessed first.5
Complications
What are the possible complications?
Repeated straining can lead to hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.5
Long-lasting constipation can also lead to fecal impaction: hardened stool blocks the rectum. It causes cramps, pain and ineffective straining. Liquid stool or mucus can then leak around the blockage and be mistaken for diarrhea.5
Liquid stools after a period of constipation therefore don’t always mean the problem is solved. An assessment may be needed.1,5
Assessment
How does the assessment work?
A physical exam is often offered. Depending on the symptoms, a rectal exam can check for hemorrhoids, a fissure, blood or impacted stool, for example.5
The professional looks in particular at:
- your usual bowel rhythm and recent changes;
- stool consistency and the effort needed;
- pain, bloating and bleeding;
- your diet, hydration and activity;
- medications and treatments tried.
Do you need a colonoscopy?
Not automatically. Choosing Wisely Canada recommends avoiding colonoscopy in people under 50 with constipation who have no family history of colon cancer and no warning signs, such as anemia or weight loss.4
The decision depends on age, family history, warning signs and colorectal cancer screening status.
Seeking care
When should you see a professional?
Don’t wait for these timelines if other worrying symptoms appear. If in doubt, call Info-Santé at 811, option 1, any time.1
According to Santé Québec, see a professional in particular if:1
- you haven’t had a bowel movement in 5 to 7 days, despite following the advice;
- constipation persists, gets worse or turns into diarrhea;
- you have blood in your stool, even a small amount;
- you are losing weight without trying;
- passing stool often causes anal pain;
- you have a fever and have had diverticulitis before;
- from age 40, your bowel habits change for no reason;
- from age 65, you go less often or the shape or size of your stools changes.
When should you go to the emergency room?
Go to the hospital without waiting if you have:1
- a lot of red or black blood in your stool;
- frequent vomiting, green or yellow-green, or that looks like stool;
- severe abdominal pain with a very hard belly for more than 2 hours;
- a sudden change in general condition: drowsiness, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, loss of appetite or thirst.
These situations need an assessment and should not be treated as simple constipation at home.
When to consult at the Clinique IPS du Palais?
A nurse practitioner can assess your constipation, review your medications, advise you on suitable measures and treatments, and order tests or a specialist consultation when indicated.
If you have a lot of blood in your stool, frequent vomiting or a very hard, painful belly, go to the emergency room without waiting.
Sources
- Santé Québec. Constipation (12 ans et plus) (health advice, in French). Updated October 8, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. sante.quebec
- Benali S, Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. How long can you go without a bowel movement before it becomes a concern? Updated September 23, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. cdhf.ca
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Des moyens pour combattre la constipation (in French). Revised December 2022, accessed October 29, 2026. chumontreal.qc.ca
- Choosing Wisely Canada, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Gastroenterology (recommendations). Updated July 2025, accessed October 29, 2026. choisiravecsoin.org
- Gotfried J. Constipation chez l’adulte, Merck Manual, consumer version (in French). Reviewed April 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. merckmanuals.com
This sheet mainly concerns constipation in adults. It provides general information and does not replace an assessment by a health professional. Published October 29, 2026.