Upcoming January hysterectomy: Constipation (are fibroids the cause?; any ideas on what to do?)

Anyone have problems with constipation pre-surgery? I’m thinking my fibroids are playing havoc with my intestines. But it freaks me out for surgery recovery!

I’m on day 4 with last 2 days using stool softeners/laxatives and a dose of Milk of Magnesia this afternoon yet no luck. Anyone have better luck after surgery??

Hi RoperGrl -

Here is an article that does indicate that constipation can be caused by fibroids: Fibroid Symptoms.

We have lots of women on this site. Hopefully one with this issue will see this post and respond.

RoperGrl, and greetings from a fellow fibroid sister!
The uterus sits directly in front of the rectum, so a fibroid sitting in the back can cause issues like constipation; also, if the uterus is significantly enlarged, the intestines would have to shift around to make room for it. The good news is that after your surgery, these issues will completely go away, although you may still be constipated for another week or so, a common post-op issue. To get things moving properly, make sure you're taking regular walks, which can really help. Helpful drink choices include enough water so that your urine is clear or pale yellow, peppermint tea, warmed-up prune juice, and a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. Foods high in soluble fibre can also help, by lubricating your stools; that includes blueberries, bananas, oatmeal, and psyllium or chia seeds. Foods high in magnesium can also help; my top picks for this include leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate. Other helpful foods include ground flaxseeds, whole grain cereal, and canned pumpkin puree. Another top tip for easier bowel movements is to squat on the toilet, which properly aligns the rectum, allowing easier passage. Best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

Hi, RoperGrl. I had similar issues prior to my hysterectomy last month. I had two colonoscopies due to severe constipation but the doctors couldn't find any issues. I was so frustrated because their only advice was the usual advice about more fiber, more water, more exercise, etc.

I had my annual gynecology exam in august and my doctor found large fibroids and my uterus was enlarged.it was about the size that it would've been for a 13 week pregnancy. I had severe anemia that I'd been battling for several years, so we felt a hysterectomy was my best option.

During surgery, my surgeon found six fibroids...a very large one was outside the uterus, attached to the uterus by a stem, and was pressing against my intestines and rectum. So that was similar to what was mentioned in an earlier post. I'm into my fifth week of recovery and am actually managing with stool softeners and miralax. They weren't helping at all before. I'm hoping that when I can start exercising it will help even more.

I know everyone's experiences are different But I hope it helps you to know that I've had similar issues and I've had good results with the surgery. I wish you the best with choosing your best option. Take care!

Thanks so much for the replies. Finally got things working again on day 5. At least I know I have some good practice in for surgery recovery and what I can expect in that area! LOL Kinda funny how I never really noticed how many things my lady parts have been messing up in my life and my body until I decided on the surgery, and now I'm just plain annoyed and cannot wait to get rid of them.

Ropergrl, I also had constipation issues preop due to a posterior fibroid. I took an out-the-counter stool softener on a daily basis (not just when needed) and it helped a lot.