PlushCare / Online Doctor / Primary Care / Constipation
In order to treat your constipation, consult with one of our board-certified online doctors today 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 24/7 for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
No insurance needed
Same-day prescriptions available*
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Step 1
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
How pricing works
To request constipation treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
$14.99/month
First month free
Copay
For all visits
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
$14.99/month
First month free
$129
Repeats only $69
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.
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:
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:
Some forms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cause constipation.
This can be caused by anal fissures, bowel obstructions, or colon cancer.
This includes diabetes.
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:
Calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon)
Methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel)
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
Docusate sodium (Colace)
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)
The same home remedies to treat constipation can help you prevent chronic constipation:
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.
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.
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:
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 affects everyone differently, and symptoms may vary from person to person.
Common symptoms of constipation include:
If you’ve experienced two or more of these symptoms over the last three months, you may have chronic constipation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
