Fact Sheet: Nationwide Survey Results

An Unexpected Condition that Can Become More Common with Aging

Constipation is Common and Disrupts Women's Lives
Many women age 40 and older expect changes in their body as they get older, especially weight gain and sleep problems. In truth, aging is a factor in several digestive system disorders, such as constipation, which can become more common as people age. Up to 42 million adults in the United States have constipation, and the condition is more prevalent in women than men. Below are findings from a new nationwide survey that investigated how constipation disrupts women's lives and the treatment options used to help alleviate symptoms.

		Most women do not expect to face GI conditions as they get older. Though common, many women do not realize that constipation can increase with age. A majority of women age 40 and older (54%) have experienced signs of aging they were not expecting. Less than one-third of women age 40 and older (28%) recognize constipation as a common part of aging. Women age 40 and older who suffer from chronic constipation wish they had been warned as much about chronic constipation as an aspect of aging (33%) as about memory loss (30%) and arthritis (31%).
Chronic Constipation Has a Negative Impact on Quality of Life For those who suffer from chronic constipation, the condition interferes with daily activities and negatively impacts quality of life. Four out of five women who suffer from chronic constipation (80%) feel the condition has affected them.
Negative Effects of Chronic Constipation:

Who is Seeking Help? Although a majority of women age 40 and older (70%) always inform their doctor of any health condition they are experiencing, nearly half (46%) have not discussed signs of aging with their doctor. Reasons women do not discuss signs of aging with their doctor: One in three women will first turn to a doctor/nurse (32%) or the Internet (33%) for advice about health conditions they find embarrassing.

Treatment Remedies: OTC vs Prescription Medications While a majority of female chronic constipation sufferers age 40 and older (82%) have taken an over-the-counter medication to relieve their chronic constipation, more than half (59%) say that the treatments worked only some of the time or not at all. Few women with chronic constipation have taken a prescription medication for relief. Steps female chronic constipation sufferers age 40 and older have taken to relieve their condition: Less than a quarter of female chronic constipation sufferers age 40 and older have taken a prescription medication to relieve their chronic constipation. Reasons for not taking prescription medication for chronic constipation: Although a majority of women with chronic constipation rely on over-the-counter treatments or home remedies for relief, over half (57%) are interested in learning more about prescription medications for their condition.

*Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,004 women age 40 and older (+/- 3% margin of error). Of the total respondents, 147 indicated that they had chronic constipation. This survey was conducted by Braun Research and was sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals.

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