The Secret is Out…. We All Poop! Learn the Basics About Constipation and Urine Control

Have you ever heard someone try to normalize a celebrity by bringing up the fact we all poop, even them? Yes. Your favorite movie star or pop singer or athlete – they all poop. It’s a natural part of life and nothing that we should feel shy about. We all poop.

Now that the secret is out, here’s something you may not have heard about. Your bladder health is linked to your bowel health. If you have bladder leaks, you may notice they get worse when you are constipated. That’s because when you are constipated, your colon gets larger and places more pressure on your bladder. This can make you feel like you have to pass urine more urgently and more often. This is called overactive bladder (OAB). Having an overactive bladder may also cause you to avoid drinking fluids. This can raise your risk of developing constipation.

So, what exactly is constipation? Constipation happens when you go too long without having a bowel movement. There are many causes of constipation. Knowing the cause of your constipation can help find ways to prevent it. Sometimes talking with a health care team may help. They may suggest things like eating more fiber, drinking more water and regular exercise.

The below resources can be used to help you learn more basic information about constipation and urine control:

Constipation and Urine Control Fact Sheet

Constipation and Urine Control Podcast

Patient resources provided through the generous support of Astellas.