# Iron supplements and constipation. A semi-rant.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 28, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580 "2011-07-28T02:56:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580/1 "2011-07-28T02:56:53Z")

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Today was hell. Ever feel like you’re trying to pass a basketball out your backside? That’s how it felt. From about noon until just a little while ago. Stupid iron supplements. Guess I’ll be taking stool softeners with these in the future.

What is it, though, about constipation that is just so uncomfortable? I don’t think that part of the intestine has a lot of nerves and it seems like something just sitting there shouldn’t be as unpleasant as it is. It’s the complete opposite of urgency. So why is it so awful?

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**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580/2 "2011-07-28T03:16:19Z")

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The internet is here for a reason. We should take advantage of it. Moral of the story - never take any kind of a supplement or a vitamin or a drug or well, whatever. without first researching the possible side effects! 'Cuz IME, you can’t trust your doctor to forewarn you. They may or they may not. And I would bet on the ‘may not’ part.

I am semi-geeky enough to have read enough online to know that iron supplements can cause constipation. And I have only rarely had that problem - but only rarely is enough for me to know that it totally sucks. You have my sympathy.

Drink a lot of water, up your fiber intake and it wouldn’t hurt to add some probiotics to help your distressed gut.

Hope you feel better soon. ☹

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**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580/3 "2011-07-28T03:42:32Z")

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Oh I already knew they caused constipation. I just forgot to take the stool softener. I’ve now remedied the problem by putting them in my daily pill dispensers.

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**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580/4 "2011-07-28T04:12:33Z")

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[Gentle Iron](http://www.solgar.com/SolgarProducts/Gentle-Iron-Vegetable-Capsules.htm) is supposed to be non-constipating. I’ve heard about it, but never used it.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iron-supplements-and-constipation-a-semi-rant/590580/5 "2011-07-28T13:58:46Z")

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Threads seeking medical advice, anecdotes, and commiseration go in IMHO, so let me move this thither for you.

**twickster** , MPSIMS modertor