Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter laxatives, or prescribe anti-spasmodics, certain antidepressants, or prescription laxatives. It’s also helpful to manage stress, since stressors can sometimes make symptoms worse. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain food or drinks, increasing fiber intake, and getting regular exercise. IBS-C symptoms can usually be managed through lifestyle modification and medications. It is more likely to occur in people with mood disorders (particularly anxiety and depression) or chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome. In general, IBS is more common in women and people under the age of 50. Prior intestinal infections, inflammation, or genetics may also play a role. The cause of IBS-C isn’t yet known, but it’s thought to involve miscommunication between the gut and the brain. Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C) is the type most likely to cause hard stools. There are subtypes based on whether constipation or diarrhea are the main stool symptom. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the gut, mainly the large intestines. Less frequent bowel movements (less than three times a week).Abdominal pain more than one day a week, usually associated with defecation.If these are not effective, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in digestive diseases (gastroenterologist) who may prescribe additional medications. Over-the-counter laxatives, such as psyllium (Metamucil), docusate (Colace), or polyethylene glycol (Miralax) may also help. (Be sure to drink water when you are thirsty). Initial treatment of constipation may include increasing fiber intake to 20g to 30g per day and staying hydrated. In rare cases, dehydration may lead to constipation and hard stools, but this isn’t common in otherwise healthy people. Occasionally, not eating enough fiber can cause symptoms. When constipation is caused by waste products moving slower than normal through your gut (called slow-transit constipation), your body may absorb more water from the stool. Fewer than three bowel movements per week for several monthsĬhronic constipation is when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week for several months.Sometimes these conditions can overlap, but individually they are treated differently. It is important to distinguish between having difficulty passing stool and having stool that is physically hardened. A hard-to-pass stool does not mean your stool is hard.

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