Did you know? One in five people experience chronic constipation, and women are more than twice as likely to suffer from constipation than men.

Constipation is when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week with stools that may be hard, dry, lumpy and which may be difficult or painful to pass. You may have a feeling that the bowel hasn’t emptied completely.

Occasional constipation is quite common.  However, chronic and ongoing constipation is not just uncomfortable, but it can also take a toll on the quality of your life. Chronic constipation that isn’t treated can lead to complications, some more serious than others.

According to Ayurveda, constipation occurs due to an imbalance in Vata dosha which disturbs your colon, inhibiting its proper functioning.  The holistic approach of ayurveda focuses on balancing the vata dosha to treat and cure constipation.

Chronic constipation tends to be more common in women than men and not just that, it’s increasingly common in women as they get older.

It is still not fully understood why women are more susceptible to constipation as compared to men. In fact, the major causes of constipation, such as low fiber diet, less fluid intake, medications etc. are equally shared by men and women.

However, there are several other factors which are specific to women, that can increase constipation in women such as:

Progesterone levels:

Increase in progesterone levels can be the cause of women being more prone to constipation. A rise in progesterone levels relaxes and slows down the muscles of the intestine leading to constipation. This hormone is present in greater amounts in women, than in men.

Menstruation:

Hormone fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle can often cause constipation. Just before the onset of menstruation, the women’s body has a surge of progesterone. This can slow down the digestive system, possibly resulting in constipation just before and during periods.

Pregnancy:

Pregnant women often face severe constipation because there is a rise in the progesterone levels during this period, which can also slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely.

Pregnancy and childbirth may also have adverse effects on bowel habits as they weaken the muscles of pelvic floor. Pressure from the increasing weight of the growing fetus can increase pressure on your bowel, making it harder for waste to be expelled out of your body.

Menopause:

Constipation is common in postmenopausal women, and in the years leading to it. It may be the result of a decline in the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone during this period that can slow down the process of food passing through the digestive tract. When the digestive process takes a longer time, more water is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, leading to constipation.

Also, some postmenopausal women may have weakened pelvic floor muscles. This can make it all the more difficult to eliminate stools, especially when it is hard and dry.

 Low thyroid hormone:

Low thyroid hormone levels is a very common medical cause of constipation. It is more common in women than men.

Stress:

Women are twice as likely to suffer from severe stress and anxiety when compared to men. Unfortunately, stress hormones   can affect gut health and digestion, which can lead to constipation. In addition, when stressed, someone is less likely to have a healthy diet, get proper exercise or sleep, or stay hydrated, all of which aggravates constipation.