Constipation can affect anyone in the family and it’s more common than you might realise. In fact, it’s one of the most common medical conditions, affecting up to 1 in 3 people.¹⁵

Constipation becomes more likely as you get older, and women are more likely to suffer than men.^11,12

For most adults, simple lifestyle changes can help. However for older adults, there’s no evidence to suggest that diet and lifestyle changes will help, so treatment for constipation will probably be needed.³²

If you’ve tried making changes to your lifestyle, and they haven’t helped, you might need to try using medication for your constipation. Or if you have any concerns, speak to your doctor.

Find out more about constipation treatments