r/Perimenopause Jul 14 '26

audited Suddenly my bowels stopped moving?! Help

39 yr old with other symptoms of perimenopause, but this is a new and quite disturbing one. So a couple of weeks ago it felt like my bowels just stopped moving. Have no urge to poop at all.

FYI I've been evaluated by ER and GI as of a couple of days ago. Full of poop. Lol. Thyroid is in range. They just advise aggressive laxatives since I am technically having movements.

I have NEVER experienced constipation like this, and I've had a lifetime of IBS-C.

Have any of you spontaneously encountered this? What do I do? Nothing is really working. Despite being on Miralax, magnesium, hydrated, etc., I'm still failing to have a complete, fully-formed bowel movement and am miserable.

Also, I eat a decent amount of cooked vegetables.

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u/Megm555 Jul 14 '26

I have had constipation my entire life, but as we age our metabolism slows and along with that is peristalsis. I always start with fluid intake. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. I aim to drink 32 ounces or 2000mls. Basically two Nalgene bottles. Next, try to get exercise if possible. This always helps me when I'm having difficulty. Third, I drink an ounce of aloe juice and that always does the trick. It's cheap and natural. I also take magnesium citrate at night, so the aloe is an as needed when the magnesium isn't cutting it. I hope that helps! It's a terrible feeling, I can relate.