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Constipation
Constipation treatment available online today
In order to treat your constipation, consult with one of our board-certified online doctors to prescribe medication to ease abdominal pain and increase stool frequency. Get a new prescription to relieve constipation or refill an existing prescription today.
Book an appointmentIn order to treat your constipation, consult with one of our board-certified online doctors to prescribe medication to ease abdominal pain and increase stool frequency. Get a new prescription to relieve constipation or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*
* Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion.
We accept these insurance plans and many more!
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to request treatment for constipation today
Step 1
Book a constipation treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your constipation symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription to treat constipation.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Constipation treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request constipation treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $69
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Learn about constipation
Constipation is a condition marked by infrequent bowel movements. A person is considered constipated when they pass small amounts of hard, dry stool fewer than three times a week.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, about four million people in the United States experience frequent constipation. In most cases, treatment for constipation depends on its underlying cause.
There are four types of constipation:
Normal transit constipation: During normal transit (idiopathic) constipation, the colon moves stool within 24–72 hours. This type of constipation usually doesn't have an underlying cause, and most people respond to fiber or laxative treatment.
Outlet constipation: The pelvic floor muscles do not function properly, often due to damage. You might feel like you can't fully empty the stool from your rectum, or you might have to use your fingers to pass stool. Outlet constipation can happen due to outlet obstruction, which blocks the stool from coming out.
Slow transit constipation: The food moves through the digestive tract more slowly, leading to infrequent bowel movements. Sometimes, bowel movements may only occur every 2–3 weeks.
Secondary constipation: Secondary constipation occurs as a result of an underlying health condition or as a side effect of medication use.
Constipation causes
Constipation happens when waste moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum. When the colon absorbs too much water, stool consistency can become hard and dry. Constipation has several possible causes, including:
Taking certain prescription medications
Not drinking enough liquids
A lack of fiber
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Some forms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cause constipation.
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
Changes in lifestyle, such as pregnancy or old age
Issues related to intestinal function
Laxative abuse
Blockages in the colon or rectum
This can be caused by anal fissures, bowel obstructions, or colon cancer.
Health conditions that affect hormones
This includes diabetes.
Constipation symptoms
Constipation affects everyone differently, and symptoms may vary from person to person.
Common symptoms of constipation include:
Passing fewer than three stools a week
Uncomfortable and painful bowel movements
Feeling like there's a blockage in your rectum
Feeling bloated, sluggish, or uncomfortable
Having lumpy or hard stools
Abdominal pain
Feeling like you can't completely empty the stool from your rectum
If you've experienced two or more of these symptoms over the last three months, you may have chronic constipation.
How to treat constipation
In general, treating constipation depends on its underlying cause. If you experience any symptoms of constipation, talk to your doctor to explore your treatment options.
One of our trusted doctors may recommend lifestyle changes to treat constipation, such as:
Making changes to your diet (i.e., by increasing your dietary fiber intake or taking fiber supplements)
Increasing your water and fluid intake
Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine
Taking over-the-counter medications, such as stool softeners and laxatives
If home remedies don't work, your doctor may prescribe a medication for relieving constipation. In some cases, your doctor may recommend biofeedback therapy or surgery.
Constipation medication
Several medications can relieve constipation. Some medications are over-the-counter treatments, while others require a doctor's prescription. Common over-the-counter constipation medications include:
Fiber supplements
Calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon)
Methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel)
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Osmotic laxatives
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Stool softeners
Docusate sodium (Colace)
Prescription medication
These include prescription laxatives and treat chronic constipation. They include:
Lactulose (Cephulac, Constulose, Duphalac)
Linaclotide (Linzess)
Lubiprostone (Amitiza)
Plecanatide (Trulance)
Polyethylene glycol (Golyely, Nulytely)
Prucalopride (Motegrity)
How to prevent constipation
The same home remedies to treat constipation can help you prevent chronic constipation:
Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as beans, vegetables, fresh fruits, and bran cereal
Eat fewer lower-fiber foods, such as processed foods, dairy, and meat
Stay active and make time for regular exercise
Find healthy ways to manage stress
Don't ignore the urge to pass stool
Drink plenty of water and fluids
Try to create a regular schedule for bowel movements
When to see a doctor for constipation treatment
If you experience severe pain, unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel habits, or if constipation persists despite at-home treatment, book an appointment with one of our board-certified doctors to discuss your treatment options to ease constipation.
Some more serious symptoms of constipation which may require professional medical attention include constipation which persists for three weeks despite changes to diet or lifestyle, feelings of intense abdominal pain, or pain which inhibits movement, unintentional weight loss, blood or mucus in your stool, the inability to pass stool, or the development of hemorrhoids as a result of straining to go the bathroom.
Related conditions to constipation
Because constipation can share common symptoms with other digestive and kidney diseases, it's important to talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms. Your doctor can determine the underlying cause of your constipation so you can follow an appropriate treatment plan.
Constipation symptoms may be related to the following health conditions:
Certain types of cancer
These include colon and colorectal cancer
Endocrine and metabolic disorders
These include thyroid problems and uremia
Neurological conditions
These include multiple sclerosis (MS)
Lazy bowel syndrome
Intestinal obstruction
Multiple organ diseases
Structural defects in the digestive tract
These include anal fistulas or abscesses
Mental health conditions
These include anxiety, depression, and eating disorders
Constipation treatment FAQs
How long is "too long" to be constipated?
Bowel regularity varies from person to person, and "regular" bowel movements will depend on your normal stool frequency schedule. If you go more than three days without having a bowel movement, talk to your doctor.
What happens if I let constipation go too long without being treated?
Without treatment, chronic constipation can cause excessive straining and pain. Over time, it can lead to serious complications, such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
In some cases, chronic constipation can develop into fecal impactions, where stool becomes stuck in the rectum and prevents other stool from passing. Fecal impaction can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
If you feel like something is blocking your stool, seek immediate medical attention.Will a stool softener help my constipation?
While over-the-counter stool softeners may be effective for some people, there's no evidence that they improve symptoms. Stool softeners can provide short-term relief from mild constipation.
Will I need surgery to fix my constipation?
Surgery for constipation is a last-resort treatment. Most cases of constipation can be treated with fiber-rich foods, lifestyle changes, and laxative therapy.
Surgery may be an effective treatment if you've tried other treatments, or if your chronic constipation is caused by a blockage, rectocele, or stricture—structures that block stool from leaving the body.What should I not do when constipated?
Lifestyle and behavioral changes can help unclog your digestive tract, improve digestive health, and encourage bowel movements, but some changes can make it harder for you to get back to a regular schedule.
If you're constipated, avoid:Adding fiber to your diet too fast: Eating high-fiber foods is important, but add fiber to your diet slowly. Eating too much fiber too fast (through a fiber supplement or fiber-rich foods) can lead to painful bloating and gas. Try aiming for 20–35 grams of fiber daily, but add no more than 5 grams each day.
Drinking alcohol: Alcohol can disrupt the regularity of your bowel movements, leaving your body dehydrated. Sometimes, drinking can make your stools harder to pass. Drink plenty of water to soften stools and reduce the effects of constipation.
Eating dairy products: Milk and cheese can make constipation worse. Try avoiding dairy products when you're dealing with constipation and defecation problems.
Why am I constipated?
Diet is the leading cause of constipation. Too many processed foods or a diet with fiber intake can make your stool hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Certain medications can cause constipation, such as opioids taken after surgery. A sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, and dehydration are also common causes.