Symptom Checker

  • When to seek medical advice

  • Consult your doctor if your constipation:

    • Is severe
    • Lasts longer than three weeks
    • Alternates with diarrhea
    • Is accompanied by abdominal or rectal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in your stool, black stool or unexplained weight loss

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
  • Choose a
    symptom
  • Select related
    factors
  • View possible
    causes

Constipation

Find possible causes of constipation based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

  • Abdominal pain

  • Anal or rectal pain

  • Bloody stools

  • Cramping

  • Diarrhea

  • Fever

  • Gas

  • Increased sensitivity to cold

  • Muscle weakness

  • Pale, dry skin

  • Unintended weight gain

  • Unintended weight loss

  • Vomiting

 

return to symptom checker home

Text Size: smaller largerlarger