A report into the financial and emotional costs of constipation was launched on 1st March 2016, and the third edition was released in 2020. The outlook was not good, with the annual reports showing a general upward trend in prevalence of constipation in the UK.
Called, The Cost of Constipation, the report has worked out that the cost to the NHS in 2018-2019 from hospital admissions due to constipation was £168 million. The prescription cost alone to cover laxative medication in England was £87 million. This report, created by the Bowel Interest Group, is an independent investigation into the cost of constipation to the NHS, and how the symptoms impact patients physically and emotionally.
How many people live with Constipation?
It is estimated that 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 3 children suffer with the symptoms at any one time, leading to high demand on the NHS. In 2018-19, there were 76,929 people diagnosed with constipation, which equates to 211 every day. This is around 7.7% higher than the previous year.
There has since been a new report commissioned by Movicol in 2025, highlighting an even more stark picture. Their survey asked over 2000 people about the bowel habits, with a whopping 84% sharing that they had experienced constipation in the last year.
Of the UK respondents, 60% people who suffer with constipation say it stops them from simple day to day activities such as leaving the house, travelling, sleeping or having sex.
Is there still a stigma?
There are an estimated two million adults affected by chronic constipation, but the embarrassing nature of the issue is thought to still be preventing many people from accessing effective and timely treatment, incurring significant costs through later emergency hospital admissions. This indicates that the actual number of people living with the symptoms could be much higher.
Research in wider European countries found that Germany holds the most stigma when talking about poo, with Denmark being the most liberal. But if you’re experiencing constipation, it can be very uncomfortable and make you feel really ill, so the best thing to do is to seek medical help!
How much does Constipation cost the NHS?
In the UK, areas such as Humber, Birmingham and Cheshire are among the NHS trusts spending the most on treating the condition, each spending between 150k and 250k per year per 100,000 population. According to Bowel Information Group, if the national average could be achieved consistently of 134 per 100k population, around 66,500 beds could be relieved from constipation patients each year.
There are of course some mild treatments you can try at home with natural ingredients to relieve constipation symptoms, but if these don’t work for you, you should seek advice from your GP.
The cost of awareness to the NHS however is double-edged – where more people are aware of the symptoms and need for treatment, the more admissions were seen. Vitally, there have not been any areas in the UK which have seen a reduction in the number of constipation admissions or prescriptions, instead with 22 areas seeing year on year increases.
Bowel dysfunction itself is seen by primary care practitioners on a regular basis, with GPs seeing around 6.3 patients every week with constipation. This costs around £9m in consultancy time per week, from over 200k appointments.
What can you do to manage Constipation Symptoms?
Constipation as a condition can be debilitating, causing physical and emotional distress, pain and complications such as UTIs. If not treated early, it can lead to haemorrhoids, rectal prolapse or anal fissures which are more complex to treat. 50% of people suffering from constipation report that it affects their general quality of life, and nearly 70% say it affects their work or school life.
There are two types of constipation – Functional and Neurogenic – with most people with the condition experiencing Functional constipation. This means they have no underlying bowel problem, but there are signs that something is wrong. Neurogenic constipation on the other hand is due to another condition such as spinal chord injury, Parkinson’s, or those who have suffered a stroke.
There are steps you can take at home to help reduce your likelihood of experiencing constipation, such as taking part in regular exercise, drinking adequate fluids, and following a regular toilet routine.
Constipation can also cause continence issues, due to the stress this puts on the bladder and the digestive system – if you start to experience leaks, you should go to see your doctor as soon as possible. You may also find a Just Can’t Wait Card helpful in the short term to help you access a toilet at short notice – download your digital card for free, or purchase a plastic card via our website.
Further Information
It must be said that people who are experiencing constipation should visit their GP. The symptoms don’t always mean there is a more serious underlying condition and in fact this is rarely the case. Some medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants can cause constipation, so be sure to let your GP know if you’re taking over the counter medications.
Find out more about Natural Remedies for Constipation, for a list of natural and low cost remedies that you can try at home. you may also want to read more about how toilet positioning can help with encouraging a bowel movement .
You can read the full report on the Cost of Constipation here.
