Constipation (patient fact sheet)

Download our fact sheet to provide your patients with easy to follow guidance on constipation.

This fact sheet has the #withconsumers tick from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia

Constipation means having a hard, dry bowel motion (poo) that is difficult to pass. It may cause straining, pain and discomfort. There may be slight bleeding from a small tear in the anus (outside of the back passage).

Constipation is common, affecting one in five people.

Everyone has different toilet habits. Some people use their bowels a couple of times a day to once every three days or so. As we get older most of us can expect to go less frequently.

You are not constipated unless your bowel habits change.