What causes constipation in women?

Not drinking enough water

Too much caffeine and not enough water

Alcohol

Not getting enough fiber in your diet 

Consuming highly processed foods

Stress

Leading a sedentary lifestyle, not exercising, sitting for prolonged periods of time, office jobs

Hormonal fluctuations

Straining when going to the bathroom

• This can cause enlarged hemorrhoids and a weakened pelvic floor: both conditions can make constipation worse 

Not going to the bathroom when you have to go

• The longer stool is held in the rectum, the more water is reabsorbed from it, making the stool harder, drier, and more difficult to pass. 

• When you consistently hold your bowel movements, the rectum becomes desensitized. Over time, the rectum requires more and more feces for the brain to recognize it’s time for you to go to the bathroom. This can become a vicious cycle that worsens your constipation.