Do Steroids Cause Constipation? (7 Things You Should Know)

Yes, steroids can cause constipation, among many other health issues. In most cases, constipation is caused by taking too much and/or for too long.

I remember how my patients told me about the discomfort and bloating when they were on steroids; it was a clear indication that even prescribed doses could lead to constipation if not managed properly.

Additionally, there’s research that suggests that even legally prescribed steroids taken as instructed by the doctor may still cause many problems in the body [1].

In fact, a study done in rats showed that taking prednisone for short-term use caused a slowing of intestinal transit.

This has been linked to poor bowel movements and constipation, according to the BioMed Research International [2].

While it's known that steroids can cause constipation and other immediate health issues, it's crucial to also consider the long-term side effects of using steroids like Prednisone, which can lead to painful burning sensations in the hands or feet, severe depression, and behavioral changes.

Another aspect to be wary of is the immunosuppressive nature of steroids like Prednisone. While they can mitigate overactive immune responses, they also increase the vulnerability to various infections, a risk that amplifies with the dosage and duration of the therapy.

Steroid use has also been shown to impair nervous system function, resulting in slowed colonic muscle contractions and preventing waste from moving out of the body, according to the Molecular Neurobiology [8].

Research suggests that the movement of chyme, or the partially undigested food in the colon, is aided by colonic contractions and mass movements.

During food processing and forming waste, the colon, or large intestine, absorbs water through its walls [9].

If the muscle contractions are slow, the transit of the stool is delayed, and the process is prolonged, allowing most of the water to be absorbed.

This results in stools being too hard, which causes constipation.

Anabolic steroids may also cause adverse health effects in addition to physiological changes that cause constipation.

Using steroids is bad for you because it can increase the risk of chronic diseases, especially when they are taken in doses that are 10 to 100 times higher than prescribed by a doctor.

My patients learned the hard way that using steroids can be detrimental. During their phase of high dosage intake, they experienced a range of health issues, a stark reminder of the risks associated with exceeding the prescribed doses.

Furthermore, taking steroids without medical or therapeutic purpose for extended periods of time can increase the risk of heart problems, skin thinning, bleeding, and inflammation.

Additionally, misuse and abuse can lead to gender-specific issues like baldness and shrinking testicles in men and irregular menstruation in women, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse [10].

“Use of anabolic steroids for bodybuilding will cause the testes to shut down their testosterone production. This could be permanent, even after discontinuation of these drugs.”

-  Ghandi Saadeh, MD, Endocrinology Specialist

To avoid these adverse effects, there are natural alternatives to anabolic steroids with almost no side effects. If symptoms such as constipation continue to bother you, try the following simple remedies.

If you have constipation, you should increase your physical activity by going for walks and doing body stretches before or after a workout regularly.

According to the Frontiers in Physiology, regular exercise has been shown to increase metabolism, which causes digestive muscle contractions to be faster, allowing you to move your bowels more regularly [12].

Giving yourself 15 minutes of morning stretches and 15 minutes of an afternoon walk can give you 30 minutes of exercise to help with constipation.

Related: Yoga Poses for Constipation

According to research, extending steroid use longer than three months is considered long-term and can result in serious side effects [13].

Long-term use of steroids typically results in a poor immune system.

The same is true if you exceed the recommended dosage of the drug used to treat a condition, based on research published in PubMed [14].

Continuing to use steroids at high doses after the initial physiological responses have subsided, as in the case of constipation and immune system impairment, can lead to more serious side effects that may require medical intervention.

When to Seek Professional Medical Advice

If serious adverse effects persist, consulting with a doctor is the best course of action.

Men using anabolic steroids might face acne, hair loss, or breast enlargement. While these are concerning, immediate attention is crucial for severe issues like allergic reactions, bone thinning, and infections due to weakened immunity.

I can't stress enough the importance of seeking professional advice. Some of my patients ignored the early signs like acne and hair loss until it became unbearable. Consulting a doctor made a world of difference in managing the adverse effects of steroids.

The good news is that there are alternatives to steroids that won't cause a negative effect, even if used long-term:

• Best Legal Steroids for Men
• Best Legal Steroids for Women

I recommend natural alternatives for safely boosting testosterone. Our data confirms their effectiveness in promoting muscle growth without impacting bowel health.