Probiotics Treat Constipation — and They Can Cause It, Too

You may have heard about the benefits of probiotics in treating all sorts of conditions — from diarrhea to high cholesterol. Probiotics are live microorganisms, like bacteria and yeast, that are good for your gut and overall health. And they’re sometimes recommended to help you treat constipation. But they can have some digestive side effects, too. This includes constipation. So here we’ll review what the science says about side effects of probiotics and their link to constipation. 

What are the side effects of probiotics?

Most people don’t have a lot of side effects with probiotics. In fact, probiotics can help prevent side effects from other medications or treatments. 

But some people have reported the following side effects while on probiotics: 

• Bloating

• Gas

• Abdominal pain

• Unpleasant taste in the mouth

In rare cases, probiotics can also cause infection. This is usually only seen in people with weakened immune systems. 

Is constipation common with some probiotics?

Constipation isn’t common with probiotics. But it’s possible. You can sometimes have some constipation in the first few weeks after starting a new probiotic. This is most common when your body is getting used to taking the probiotic daily. But most people won’t have side effects from taking probiotics. 

Why do some probiotics sometimes cause constipation?

Probiotics work by changing the types of bacteria and yeast that line your digestive tract. Sometimes those microorganisms change the way food is digested. So probiotics can lead to symptoms like increased gas production. For some people this leads to symptoms like bloating or constipation. The good news is, this symptom is usually temporary and resolves within a few weeks.

How can you prevent and treat constipation when taking a probiotic?

You can help prevent constipation when taking a probiotic with a few simple things that help your digestive system move. 

Drink lots of water

You’re more likely to get constipated when you don’t drink enough water. Drinking fluids helps keep your stools soft and easier to pass. The ideal amount of water you should drink is different for every person. It depends what other fluids you’re drinking and on the water content of the food in your diet. But a good rule of thumb is that you should drink enough water for your pee to be a pale yellow.  

Increase how much fiber you eat 

Eating a diet with plenty of fiber usually helps prevent and treat constipation. You can get fiber from plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. 

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Even though getting fiber in your diet usually helps with digestion, there’s also too much of a good thing! Keep in mind that too much fiber can actually cause constipation. It can also cause more gas and bloating symptoms. While the amount of fiber you need may vary, most adults benefit from getting about 25 g to 30 g of dietary fiber per day.   

Exercise and physical activity

When you move your body, your digestive system starts moving more as well. Getting more exercise can help with constipation. Studies show that you can improve your stooling patterns with both aerobic exercise, like walking, and anaerobic exercise, like strength training. 

If you’re experiencing constipation, find a type of movement that feels enjoyable to you. Types of exercise and physical activity that can help you pass stool include:

• Going for a walk

• Swimming

• Yoga (some poses are especially helpful for constipation)

• Simple standing squats

How can probiotics help constipation?

If you’re experiencing constipation after starting a probiotic, don’t give up on them right away. There’s evidence that probiotics are ultimately helpful for constipation.

Researchers are still learning about how probiotics work to help constipation. But probiotics seem to help constipation by:

• Regulating the release of hormones into the gut

• Changing the types of bacteria in the gut to ones that create softer stools

• Increasing organic acids that make the gut contract more 

• Increasing the amount of stool made in the gut

• Increasing how quickly the gut is able to move stool along the tract

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Written by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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