3 weeks post hysterectomy: How long keep taking stool softener & senna

Hi, everyone.

How long before it's safe to "push" during bowl movements? I'm in my third week of recovery and still taking one stool softener with two senna at bedtime to make sure things keep moving without me needing to apply any "pressure." I'm not taking any painkillers at this point, but I'm nervous about getting plugged up.

Any thoughts?

Stool softeners attract water to your bowels and usually take longer to work, popular for post-op. Senna, though it's natural, is a stimulant laxative and is habit forming when taken long term - it is not at all designed for daily use and may well cause your body not to respond naturally. Two a day for 3 weeks is probably too many for too long already... it's definitely time to start pulling back.

At this point you should be able to manage bowel movements with a proper diet. Foods high in fiber and magnesium are a good bet and are often the same food sources: whole grains, bran cereals, fruits (dried, frozen, fresh), nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, and plenty of water-water-water to go with that. Without water, things aren't going to flow smoothly. Avoid highly processed foods as they are harder to digest. My go-to solutions were dried prunes, Fiber One Original cereal, raisin bran, and prune juice eaten daily throughout the day, along with enough water to float a canoe. I had to really stay on top of it for 7 weeks. Occasionally I drank senna tea, but it was a last resort. Out of 16 bags, I think I still have 7 left after 5-1/2 months.

My first bowel movement was on day 6. I think you need to stop taking the senna, because it carries a risk for dependency, which could leave you plugged up even more. To get things moving, the absolute best thing you can do is to take regular walks. Also try supplementing your diet with magnesium, which promotes proper bowel function; food sources include leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate. Try making a smoothie with almond milk, cherries, spinach, and ground flaxseeds; that's what ultimately worked for me. Also try sitting on the toilet right after a meal; this stimulates the gastro-colic reflex, in which the stomach tells the brain that it's full, then the brain tells the colon to empty its contents, to make room for the new stuff coming in. To avoid straining, sit on the toilet with your knees drawn into your chest, and your feet elevated on a low stool; this straightens the rectum, so the poop can pass through without straining. Here's hoping you'll be back to 💩 soon!

Thank you so much for the replies! I'll stop taking the senna and see how things go. I didn't know it was habit forming, and I definitely don't want to cause more problems. Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it!

I'm still taking a softener every other day or so 9 weeks out. No laxative or stimulant though... other than a cup of coffee or tea