Am I constipated?

It's important to remember that it is not necessary to move your bowels once every day. Some healthy people need to move their bowels only three times a week; others move their bowels a number of times a day. It is never advisable to take any medication if your body does not actually need it. Please visit your health care professional if you have any concerns about your digestive health.

Symptoms of constipation

A person is considered to suffer from constipation when they

have fewer than three bowel movements a week

have to strain severely in order to defecate

produce hard stools

produce less than 30g (one ounce) of stool with each bowel movement