After a few days of unsatisfying trips to the toilet, many people reach straight for a laxative. The NHS describes constipation as not having a poo at least 3 times during the last week, or pooing less often than usual, or stools that are large or small, dry, hard or lumpy. Its first advice is to add fibre and fluids, walk every day, keep a regular toilet time, and rest your feet on a low stool; if that doesn’t work, a pharmacist can suggest a laxative. This sets out two NHS pages, “Constipation” and “Laxatives”.
1. Add fibre gradually and drink plenty. Cut down on alcohol.
2. A daily walk or run; a regular time and place, with plenty of time. Don’t delay when you feel the urge.
3. Laxatives only briefly. NHS “Laxatives”: don’t take ones bought without a prescription for longer than 7 days, and if 3 days haven’t helped, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
How to tell it’s constipation — NHS
The NHS calls constipation common, affecting people of all ages. Its symptoms are not having a poo at least 3 times in the last week or going less often than usual; stools that are large or small, dry, hard or lumpy; straining or pain; and feeling you haven’t fully emptied your bowels. Stomach ache, bloating and feeling sick can also happen. Worth noticing: in older adults and people with dementia or a learning disability, it may show as a change in behaviour, such as confusion. The page covers adults; constipation in babies and children has separate information.
Causes listed include not eating enough fibre (found in fruit, vegetables and cereals), not drinking enough fluids, not moving enough, ignoring the urge to go, changes to diet or routine, side effects of medicines, and stress, anxiety or depression. It is more common during pregnancy, after giving birth and over the age of 65. Conditions such as diverticular disease or bowel cancer are rare causes, the page says.
What to do at home — NHS
| Area | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Increase fibre gradually · wheat bran, oats or linseed · fruit containing sorbitol such as apples, apricots, grapes (and raisins), raspberries and strawberries | Slowly, not all at once |
| Drink | Drink plenty of fluids · cut down on alcohol | — |
| Activity | A daily walk or run can help you poo more regularly | — |
| Routine | A regular time and place, with plenty of time · don’t delay when you feel the urge | Ignoring the urge is on the causes list |
| Position | Rest your feet on a low stool · if possible, raise your knees above your hips | No stool height is given |
The NHS says these steps are safe to try when you’re pregnant and may take a few days to weeks to help. How much to drink is in daily water intake, and walking in brisk walking.
Laxatives — NHS “Laxatives”
If lifestyle changes don’t work, the “Constipation” page says a pharmacist can suggest a laxative, that most work within 3 days, and that they should only be used for a short time. The “Laxatives” page gives the time each type takes.
| Type | Time to work | What the NHS adds |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk-forming | Up to 3 days | Drink plenty to avoid dehydration |
| Osmotic | 2 to 3 days | Drink plenty to avoid dehydration |
| Stool softener | 12 hours to 3 days | — |
| Stimulant | 6 to 12 hours | — |
For laxatives bought without a prescription, stop once constipation clears up and don’t take them for longer than 7 days; if you’ve used them for 3 days and they haven’t helped, speak to a doctor or pharmacist. Check with a pharmacist or doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and babies and children can take laxatives only if a GP recommends them.
“Most work within 3 days” (Constipation page) and “6 hours to 3 days” by type (Laxatives page) don’t conflict — the longest time in the table is 3 days (our reading). We haven’t matched product names sold in Korea, so ask a pharmacist which type a product is.
When to see a GP — NHS
- Constipation is not improving with treatment or keeps coming back
- Blood in your poo
- Unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness, or tummy pain
- A sudden change in bowel habits
- You take a medicine that causes constipation, such as opioid painkillers — but don’t stop prescribed medicine without speaking to your GP
Long-term constipation can lead to faecal impaction, where poo builds up in the rectum, and this can even show up as leaking diarrhoea, the NHS says. A healthcare professional treats it, possibly with stronger laxatives, suppositories or a mini enema.
Where to go is covered in ER vs local clinic.
Checklist
- ☐ Fibre gradually, plenty of fluids, less alcohol
- ☐ A daily walk or run
- ☐ A regular time and place; go when you feel the urge
- ☐ Feet on a stool, knees above hips
- ☐ No more than 7 days of laxatives; no help after 3 days, ask
- ☐ Blood, weight loss or a sudden change: see a GP
Questions that remain
Do I need to go once a day?
The NHS measure is “not at least 3 times in the last week, or less often than usual”. A once-a-day rule isn’t on the pages we read.
What about probiotics?
Neither page we read covers probiotics, so we haven’t written about them.
Sources
- NHS — Constipation — source (page shows: reviewed 26 October 2023, next review 26 October 2026; checked 12 October 2026). The 3-times-a-week measure, symptoms and causes, over 65 and pregnancy, fibre, fluids, exercise, routine and footstool, most work within 3 days and only briefly, GP list, faecal impaction.
- NHS — Laxatives — source (page shows: reviewed 30 April 2026, next review 30 April 2029; checked 12 October 2026). Four types and their timing, fluids, 7 days and 3 days, pregnancy, breastfeeding and children.
- Not read. NHS constipation in babies and children; Korean agency guidance; Korean laxative classifications.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the reading that reconciles the two 3-day statements.
Where else to check
- A pharmacist — laxative types and other medicines you take.
Written on 12 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.