Constipation: What Nobody’s Telling You About the Most Misunderstood Gut Issue
If You’re Constipated, Detox Hacks Won’t Save You.
Let’s start here: You can poop daily and still be constipated. Frequency ≠ function.
Straining, hard stools, incomplete emptying, or needing stimulation to go? Still constipation.
And if your gut isn’t moving? Your body isn’t detoxing.
Every single day, your liver filters:
Hormones
Toxins
Bile acids
Environmental chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
It sends those compounds to the gut to be eliminated, through stool.
If transit is slow, waste sits in the colon longer. Estrogen and bile acids get reabsorbed.
Your microbiome shifts. Inflammation signals rise.
And your liver ends up with double the work.
So yes, constipation isn’t just uncomfortable. It creates real biological stress on an already overloaded system.
Myth-Busting the Bowel
Let’s bust the most common constipation myths:
Myth 1: “If you go daily, you’re not constipated.”
Truth: You can go daily and still experience:
Incomplete emptying
Hard, dry stools
Straining
The “I still have to go” feeling
This is called functional constipation.
Myth 2: “Just add more fiber.”
Truth: Fiber helps some, but not all.
Slow-transit constipation, thyroid changes, pelvic floor dysfunction, or vagus nerve dysregulation don’t always respond to fiber, and in some cases, fiber can make things worse.
Myth 3: “It’s just stress.”
Truth: Stress impacts motility, but so do:
Thyroid hormones
Perimenopause
Medications
Gut dysbiosis
Inflammation
SIBO
Structural or muscular issues like pelvic floor dysfunction
Myth 4: “Laxatives fix the problem.”
Truth: They’re a short-term tool — not a long-term solution.
Chronic use can lead to dependency or worsen the very motility patterns you’re trying to fix.
Relief ≠ resolution.
The Hormone Connection
Let’s talk estrogen.
Estrogen is detoxed by the liver and excreted through the gut. If you’re constipated, estrogen can re-enter circulation, a phenomenon called enterohepatic recirculation.
More circulating estrogen = more symptoms like:
Heavy periods
Mood swings
Bloating
Breast tenderness
Headaches
Estrogen isn’t bad, but too much of it at the wrong time, or the wrong type, can feel like hormonal chaos.
Why Women Experience Constipation Differently
Progesterone slows gut motility in the luteal phase (right before your period), making you more prone to constipation.
Low progesterone (from stress, under-eating, or poor sleep) can further impair transit.
Perimenopause often amplifies constipation, especially with fluctuating hormones and changes in gut-brain signaling.
Add in stress, inflammation, and modern living? And it’s no wonder so many women are struggling quietly.
The Nervous System Link
Your gut is not just a plumbing system. It’s wired to your autonomic nervous system, the one that controls stress, rest, and digestion.
When you're in fight-or-flight?
Blood flow diverts away from the gut
Motility slows
Digestion is deprioritized
Constipation isn’t always a fiber problem. Sometimes, it’s a safety problem. You need regulation, not restriction.
Overflow Diarrhea: The Constipation No One Talks About
Some people think they’re “fine” because they go 3x a day, but if it’s:
Loose
Urgent
Incomplete
…you might be experiencing overflow diarrhea, when soft stool leaks around backed-up, impacted stool.
Bottom line:
Just because something is leaving doesn’t mean everything is being cleared.
Top Hidden Causes of Constipation
Dehydration + lack of minerals (esp. magnesium, sodium, potassium)
Low total fiber (both soluble and insoluble)
Gut motility issues
SIBO or gut dysbiosis
Hormonal imbalances (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid)
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Medications (antidepressants, iron, opioids, etc.)
Real Detox Starts Here
Before you spend money on a cleanse or juice fast, ask: Am I pooping fully and regularly?
If not, start with:
Hydration with minerals
25–35g of fiber per day
Daily movement (esp. walking)
Vagus nerve support (cold exposure, humming, deep breathing)
Magnesium-rich foods or supplements
Mindful meals, not rushed bites
Evaluation for SIBO or pelvic floor dysfunction if needed
Optimization comes later. Foundation comes first.
If You Struggle with Constipation…
There’s one protocol I recommend over and over again, especially for women dealing with gut–hormone overload:
👉 The Liver Support Protocol
This isn’t a cleanse.
It’s a reset for your liver–gut axis, packed with:
• Grocery lists
• Real food recipes
• Fiber + hormone strategies
• Detox science made simple
• No gimmicks. Just biology.
Final Thoughts
Constipation isn’t just “a bathroom thing.” It’s a window into your liver, your hormones, your stress levels, and your overall resilience.
Let’s stop masking symptoms and start building a foundation.
Because when your gut moves better, your whole life flows better.
Ready to Transform Your Gut Health?
If you’re tired of feeling bloated, fatigued, or off-balance, your gut may be asking for more fiber, not more supplements.
Check out my 10-Day Gut Reset
Book a 1:1 consultation
and get a personalized strategy to optimize your gut health, hormone balance, and longevity.
Or explore free resources on The Conscious Guide for practical ways to start feeding your microbiome today.
