Constipation
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Content updated on Dec 6, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Constipation
Hard stools
Passing fewer than three stools a week
Pain when passing stools
Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
I want to poop, but cannot
I can't defecate
Feel like I still have to poop after having a bowel movement
Cramping rectal pain
Slow bowel movements
Feeling of incomplete defecation
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Constipation quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Unable to pass motion
- Feel like I need to have a bowel movement
- Recent bowel motion was hard and small
- Recent stool was hard and small
- Find it hard to poop
- I want to poop but don't come out
- Recent stool was like a pellet.
- Hard and dry stool
- Recent stool was hard and tiny
- Recent poo was like a pellet.
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
Constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week, accompanied by hard, dry, or lumpy stools, difficulty or discomfort in passing stools, or a sensation that not all stool has been eliminated.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Edema
- Abdominal pain
- Decrease in stool caliber
Possible Causes
Generally, Constipation can be related to:
Acute Porphyria
Acute porphyria refers to a group of rare genetic disorders affecting heme production, leading to a range of symptoms.
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body.
- Amyloidosis
A disease in which "amyloid," an abnormal type of protein, accumulates in various organs, causing damage. Affected areas can include the heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. The causes are diverse.
- Constipation
- Hypothyroidism
- Pheochromocytoma
Cardiac Amyloidosis
- Inguinal Hernia
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Constipation may be related to these serious diseases:
- Intussusception
A condition where a segment of the intestines "telescopes" into another. This can cause the intestine walls to die, so prompt medical attention is needed. It is associated with certain genetic conditions and growths, but often no clear cause is found.
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Have you had hard stools or constipation lately?
- How long have you had hard stool (constipation)?
- Have you experienced hard stool (constipation) before?
- How often do you experience hard stools or constipation?
- How has the hard stool (constipation) changed since it started?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
Q.
When Should I Start Worrying about Constipation?
A.
If you haven't had a bowel movement for more than 5-7 days and also have pain, nausea or even vomiting, please seek further medical attention.
References:
Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, Mansi S, Kaul A. Gastrocolonic Response. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi: 10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2. Epub 2022 Nov 3. PMID: 36324042.
Burr RL, Jarrett ME, Cain KC, Jun SE, Heitkemper MM. Catecholamine and cortisol levels during sleep in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2009 Nov;21(11):1148-e97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01351.x. Epub 2009 Jul 1. PMID: 19573081; PMCID: PMC2820403.
Burr RL, Jarrett ME, Cain KC, Jun SE, Heitkemper MM. Catecholamine and cortisol levels during sleep in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2009 Nov;21(11):1148-e97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01351.x. Epub 2009 Jul 1. PMID: 19573081; PMCID: PMC2820403.
Heaton KW, Radvan J, Cripps H, Mountford RA, Braddon FE, Hughes AO. Defecation frequency and timing, and stool form in the general population: a prospective study. Gut. 1992 Jun;33(6):818-24. doi: 10.1136/gut.33.6.818. PMID: 1624166; PMCID: PMC1379343.
Find Similar Symptoms
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References
Constipation
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/
Reviewed By:
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1