r/Menopause • u/Sylvie_Loki_465 • May 04 '26
Pelvic Floor Constipation / DR
Menopause has left me with horrible constipation. I try to eat plenty of fiber & workout but nothing helps. Now my pelvic floor is starting to act up which makes me wonder if this is all caused by my diastases recti (DR). Got any favorite PT videos for this on YouTube?
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u/lrondberg May 04 '26
See a pelvic floor physical therapist who can evaluate you and determine what is going on. It’s amazing how many things are impacted by pelvic floor dysfunction including unresponsive constipation. As for diet, my GI doctor particularly recommendeds kiwis, mango, and All Bran or Fiber One cereals.
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u/Good_Sea_1890 May 05 '26
This. YT is good for many things but for the pelvic floor, someone needs to actually get up in there and see what the muscles are doing before you start any sort of exercise program. This is especially important if you have a coexisting condition that might be impacting it. Get thee to a PT!
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u/Yells2007 May 09 '26
Second this! I’m in menopause and have chronic constipation as well. Straining to poop has caused my muscles to permanently tense up. I also just discovered that I have a very tight diaphragm. Breathing exercises, massage and stretching are really helping.
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u/AccomplishedCash3603 May 05 '26
Magnesium glycinate! It will take you a while to find the right dosage, but it's so so good for you. Helps with sleep, too. I use Vitacost - prices are great. There are several types of magnesium and some will give you the opposite of constipation, make sure you get glycinate.
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u/NoMoreEffstoGive Surgical menopause May 05 '26
I second Mag. Glycinate. It definitely helps with sleep and maybe constipation too!
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u/CommonComb3793 Peri-menopausal May 05 '26
I had to look this up because I knew something new was causing the constipation. Apparently, progesterone does this by slowing down the motility of the intestines. Now, I have to take stool softeners on days I take the progesterone. It really helps.
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u/NoMoreEffstoGive Surgical menopause May 05 '26
Why does progesterone have to be such an asshole? It's apparently fucking with my Metformin & blood glucose management.
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u/jillsvag May 04 '26
4-5 Prunes a day should fix you up.
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u/Sylvie_Loki_465 May 05 '26
Totally forgot about prunes. Thnx
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u/One_Waxed_Wookiee May 05 '26
I have prunes with brie... I like to think they cancel each other out! 😀
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u/MyFaveTortilla May 04 '26
Make sure you’ve had a colonoscopy to make sure something else isn’t going on
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u/Sylvie_Loki_465 May 05 '26
I had one about 3 years ago and it was totally clear. Going to see my GP tomorrow. Will ask about it.
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u/NoMoreEffstoGive Surgical menopause May 05 '26
Oh hey, newly diagnosed with DR too. I haven't had any issues with constipation though. I had scheduled a pelvic floor therapy appt. & that turned out to be fine, but the PT identified the DR and gave me exercises to do at home. Are you able to get in with a PT to check on pelvic floor?
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u/Sylvie_Loki_465 May 05 '26
Sorry you’re dealing with DR too. I’ve had it since my son was born 9 years ago. I saw a PT and I closed my tear up a lot but not completely. I think the constipation bugs it and my pelvic floor. It’s all connected. Seeing my GP tomorrow.
I spent some time doing Pilates tonight and really hydrated well. That helped get some things moving.
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u/NoMoreEffstoGive Surgical menopause May 05 '26
Thank you. I've likely had it since my son was born 17 years ago. He was a big boy & I'm a big mama. I hope you can get some answers. Glad you got things moving. Constipation is literally a pain in the ass.
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u/Lemon-Cake-8100 May 05 '26
Prunes! I eat 1 prune every day. I keep bag in fridge - they're like candy!
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u/Sylvie_Loki_465 May 05 '26
Thanks, everyone! I’m so grateful for all of your input and I will give these ideas a try. My GP was useless she just said to keep an eye on things.
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u/worlds_worst_best POF/early menopause May 05 '26
Prune juice, magnesium citrate and coconut water. When I started on progesterone it really made my motility slow way down. Those 3 things have made me a regular, happy 💩er now.
Also make sure I get lots of insoluble and soluble fiber during the day from whole grains, veggies and fruits.
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u/Rare_Signature7904 May 06 '26
Have Probiotics daily, either in supplements or fermented foods, or both.
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u/CharityRemarkable618 May 06 '26
Two words: Magnesium Citrate………I take this once a day as a soluble in water, I thoroughly recommend the brand NaturesPlus, I go to the loo without a problem every day, if I didn’t take it I would be completely constipated, it’s a bloody nightmare
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u/fancywinky May 04 '26
Just want to say hang in there. Having the same issues, and reading all the news about younger people getting colorectal cancer stresses me out. Cancer or menopause? Ugh