Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long. After 3 days, your poop gets harder and more difficult to pass.

What Are the Symptoms?

You may have:

• Few bowel movements
• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
• Hard or small stools
• A sense that everything didn’t come out
• Belly bloating

You also may feel like you need help to empty your bowels, such as pressing on your belly or using a finger to remove stool from your bottom.

Why Does It Happen?

Some causes of constipation include:

• Changes to what you eat or your activities
• Not enough water or fiber in your diet
• Eating a lot of dairy products
• Not being active
• Resisting the urge to poop
• Stress
• Overuse of laxatives
• Some medications (especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, and iron pills)
• Antacid medicines that have calcium or aluminum
• Eating disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Pregnancy
• Problems with the nerves and muscles in your digestive system
• Colon cancer
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
• Underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism)

What Should I Do If I Am Constipated?

Take these steps:

• Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another reason.
• Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.
• Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
• Eat prunes and bran cereal.
• Exercise most days of the week. When you move your body, the muscles in your intestines are more active, too.
• Don’t ignore the urge to poop.

You can try taking a laxative, too. There are several types of laxatives, and you can buy many of them over the counter. Each of them works in a different way to ease constipation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which kind might work for you and how long you should take it.