Causes of Constipation in Women

What Are The Common Causes Of Constipation In Women?

Did you know women suffer constipation more than we’re aware of? It is because women have certain biological inclinations. Typically, constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements or discomfort while passing stool. Neglecting constipation can lead to occasional pain, bloating, and other health-related problems. But other times, physical changes, hormonal fluctuation, and life stages like pregnancy or menopause can be some significant causes of constipation in women. 

What Causes Constipation In Women?

The most common causes of constipation in females are due to hormonal and lifestyle, like:

1. Hormonal: The most common reason for constipation in women is the fluctuation of the ovarian cycle, especially with the levels of oestrogen and progesterone, as these can affect the body’s functions of moving the bowels.
2. Pregnancy: When a woman is pregnant, digestion usually slows down and results in constipation.
3. Diet: Poor intake of fiber, dehydration and improper eating habits are some of the female constipation causes.
4. Lifestyle: A sedentary life coupled with stress and failure to exercise regularly can slow down the digestive process.

Gut disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also a common disorder more encountered among women and leads to chronic constipation.

Common Gut Disorders In Women

Gut disorders such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) occur in many women and cause alternations between diarrhoea and constipation bouts. Women are even more susceptible to IBS, and the course of this disorder is often worsened by fluctuations in hormone levels, stress, and diets. Symptoms for IBS typically include cramping and abdominal pain, bloating, as well as changes in bowel movement patterns, and many women will experience chronic constipation. Other diagnoses that may cause intestinal problems, and constipation, include inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease. Those should be diagnosed and treated in the presence of a doctor.

Digestion And Menstrual Cycle

Wondering what causes constipation in women? Well, women’s digestive health varies with the menstrual cycle changes. The luteal phase of time between ovulation is more often linked to slow digestion because this stage has higher progesterone levels. At this time, they are most likely to be bloated, gassy, and constipated, especially in the days preceding their periods. It is at this point when most women are constipated due to water retention and slow digestion processes.

Bloating Before And During Period

Bloating is another common symptom before and during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Many women feel bloated and uncomfortable because their bodies tend to retain water, as well as slow down digestion. Bloating together with constipation causes high levels of discomfort, which can be attributed to hormonal shifts that largely cause digestive problems. For one to be relieved of these symptoms, it is advisable that a person should be hydrated, consume a balanced diet with high fiber, as well as be mildly active.

Shifts In Hormones

The hormonal fluctuations are closely associated with bowel movements as the oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels change. The changes in the digestive health also occur during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause in women. The muscle contractions of the gut to move the food decrease because of the hormone progesterone, which leads to constipation. For example, during pregnancy, high levels of progesterone are produced; hence, the digestive tract works slowly. It is one of the most common causes of constipation during pregnancy whereby the normal bowel movements become sluggish.

Pregnancy

One of the causes of constipation in females is during pregnancy due to the changes in hormones and pressure put on the intestines by the growing uterus. The increased levels of progesterone cause the muscles within the bowel to relax and prolong the time taken by food before it passes through the digestive system. Another cause of constipation in pregnant women is that iron supplements in prenatal vitamins worsen constipation. Pregnancy time is when pregnant women should emphasize obtaining fiber-rich foods and increasing fluid intakes. In case severe or persistent constipation results, pregnant women should seek professional health services.

Slower Digestion

Aging contributes to slowing down in digestion. Their digestive processes become naturally slowed down such that most women experience frequent constipation after menopause. This is because older women tend to have low levels of oestrogen and altered nutrition absorption capabilities in their bodies. Furthermore, insufficient intake of fiber, insufficient water intake, or lower physical activities from time to time can prolong the digestion process thus causing constipation. Maintaining a healthy diet as well as the active lifestyle will facilitate normal bowel movements.

When To See A Doctor?

Although constipation is an extremely common and often relatively minor complaint, there are circumstances under which medical care is required. Women should seek emergency medical care if:

• Constipation persists for more than three weeks.
• There is bleeding in the stool.
• They experience inexplicable weight loss or abdominal pain that is severe.
• There is an abrupt and unexplained change in bowel movements.

These might be symptoms of a secondary medical condition that needs to be addressed. Stay alert, ladies!

FAQs

What are the common causes of constipation in women?

Some of the most common causes of constipation in women include hormonal fluctuations, being pregnant, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and gut disorders such as IBS. All these hormonal changes resulting in cycle-related and menopause may also cause constipation.

How do hormonal changes affect constipation in women?

Changes in hormones, especially that of oestrogen and progesterone, may also be a contributing factor in delayed digestion and thus constipation. For some women, it is the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, while for others, it may be pregnancy and sometimes the beginning of menopause.

Can pregnancy lead to constipation in women?

Yes, pregnancy would naturally cause someone to experience constipation due to the heightened levels of progesterone, which delays bowel movements. Additionally, the expanding uterus stretches the intestines, which often creates pressure that hinders easy passage of food through the digestive tract.

Does menopause increase the risk of constipation in women?

Pregnancy causes one to become predisposed to conditions such as constipation since decreased oestrogen levels slow down the digestive system. In such a case, this will help cause infrequent bowel movements and therefore increase the chances of being constipated.

How do lifestyle factors contribute to constipation in women?

Constipation can be caused by a variety of lifestyle factors: diet, dehydration, a sedentary lifestyle, and lots of stress. Lack of fiber in the diet or not enough water causes significant slowing of digestion, and regular exercise stimulates bowel movements.

If you suffer from constipation, you might want to consider using natural products from Dr Vaidya’s like constipation relief tablets and capsules for piles. These natural remedies for constipation fight the digestive disorder and work to improve bowel movements. Focus on the digestive system by eating healthy to feel healthy, ladies!