Constipation
Constipation may involve hard stools, straining or less frequent bowel movements. A new persistent change can need further assessment.
Common symptoms
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
- Hard, dry stools
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
A useful care conversation
Describe your usual pattern, the recent change, food and fluid intake, activity and medicines. Mention pain, vomiting or bleeding. A clinician can discuss suitable measures and whether a medicine review, examination or further investigation is needed.
When to seek more care
- Get assessed promptly for severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever or blood in the stool.
- Unintentional weight loss or symptoms that persist or worsen also need review.
General educational information, not a diagnosis or a complete symptom checker. The right care depends on your circumstances.
For an emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Tap reply or send a photo first.
About this information
Adapted from Tap’s published care-topic library. Original publication: 2025-01-01. Prepared for this guide: 2026-09-07. Preparation is not a clinical-review certification.
The clinician decides whether advice, testing, an examination or a prescription is appropriate. A listed topic does not guarantee remote treatment or a refill. Tap does not prescribe controlled substances.