Health Organization for Pudendal Education

does anyone know if constipation is related to PN issues?

thanks in advance all

Definitely. I was chronically constipated despite my fiber-rich diet. My doctor suggested a liquid supplement/syrup called Lactulose, which draws liquid into the stools to make them softer. Apparently you can take it daily without any ill effects or dependency issues. I've been taking it daily for about four months and it has made a huge difference. I have a soft BM every day now.

Whatever you do, don't strain! This will only compress your nerve more.

wow, thanks

that is what I thought since all the straining has definitely made it worse

I will look into the product you recommended..is it over the counter?

Yup, it's OTC, but it's kept behind the pharmacist's counter. It's very sweet stuff so not recommended for diabetics. Talk to the pharmacist about it. Good luck. You will love it. (That is to say, you will love what it does to your BM's!)

Warning: it does cause flatulence for a couple of hours after taking it, so don't consume it just before leaving the house!

I think it is worth mentioning that it is possible to have a violent reaction to lactulose. Apparently it is uncommon, but it can happen. So maybe don't buy a huge bottle until you know you are ok with this stuff.

So I take Movicol instead, it works in a similar way and I am told there are no problems with taking it long term. They use it a lot on stroke wards.

I think movicol is called miralax in the US -- it's over-the-counter. Magnesium citrate tablets work well for me but have to be taken on a regular basis.

A great product available OTC is Colocaps. Magnesium in a capsule. (Epsom salts in capsule form.) The dosage is an individual choice suited to your needs. As described in the book The other Women's Movement by Ausralian Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Michael Levitt. A great book to read. Very informative about the problems associated with straining.

Since PNE surgery I have had no need at all to take anything. I find sultana bran for breakfast works wonders for me. This book explains everyhing about why women in particular have constipation. Most of his patients are women. Colonic transit time is generally slower in women than in men. I too suffered with chronic constipation before PNE surgery but it's been perfect since. I did have a bowel repair at the time of my hysterectomy to correct a prolapse where the bowel had adhered itself to the back wall of the vagina but the PNE issue caused major constipation. I am often told it's because of the medication for pain but I disagree with that statement. I didn't take painkillers for 6 months prior to having botox treatment and I was still constipated. I think we all know by now that PN is definitely a contributing factor in constipation.

Catherine