Does Constipation Cause UTIs?

There are several triggers of urinary tract infections (UTI), but one that is often overlooked is constipation. Constipation does not directly cause a UTI. But when the bowels become full of stool, they can irritate surrounding organs, including the bladder. This can lead to urinary problems and other symptoms. 

Here’s a look at how constipation and the urinary system are connected and how you can avoid a UTI if you get constipated.

Can constipation cause UTIs?

Constipation does not directly cause UTIs. But it can increase the risk of developing a UTI, especially in children. 

“Generally, we do not consider constipation to be a primary cause of UTI,” said Dr. Avinash Ketwaroo, gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut.

“But a colon [swollen] due to constipation could affect urinary flow by compressing the bladder and leading to increased urinary frequency,” he said.

When you are constipated, stool accumulates in the colon and rectal area. This eventually exerts pressure on the bladder because the colon and bladder are near each other inside the body. This pressure can block the normal flow of urine, leading to urinary retention. When urine stays longer in the bladder than necessary, it has a higher chance of becoming contaminated with bacteria, leading to a UTI. 

How does constipation affect the urinary system?

Constipation can have other effects on your urinary system. Some of these effects can mimic the symptoms of a UTI. Let’s take a closer look. 

Constipation can lead to urinary spasms

Constipation can cause spasms in the urinary tract. Bladder spasms are a common symptom of a UTI. Here’s how they happen with constipation:

• When the rectum gets full of stool, it presses against the bladder. 

• This makes it harder for urine to leave the bladder, and it also stretches the bladder. 

• The urinary system will naturally push harder against this force to get urine out of the bladder. 

• This can lead to painful bladder spasms during urination. 

The overstretched bladder can also spasm as it tries to get back to its natural shape after you pee. People might think these spasms are a sign they are developing a UTI. But, in fact, it’s the constipation that’s causing their pain. 

Constipation can change the pelvic floor muscles

Constipation can affect the pelvic floor muscles in several ways. The pelvic floor muscles stabilize the organs that sit in the pelvis, including the:

• Bladder and urethra

• Anus and rectum

• Uterus and vagina

• Prostate

The pelvic floor muscles also help control the openings (sphincters) from where urine and stool come out. Constipation puts extra pressure on your anal and urinary sphincters. That means when you’re constipated, the pelvic floor muscles have to work harder at all times to squeeze shut the sphincters. So, when it’s time to actually go to the bathroom, the muscles can have a harder time relaxing all the way. 

This can cause several UTI-like symptoms, including a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Over time, the extra pressure from constipation can weaken your pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to UTI symptoms like urinary frequency, urgency, and dribbling. 

Can treating constipation prevent future UTIs?

Maybe. It’s not clear whether treating constipation can stop future UTIs in adults. It’s also not clear whether treating constipation will help ease urinary symptoms once they start. But there is evidence that treating constipation may lower a child’s risk of developing UTIs in the future. 

In general, though, it’s still a good idea to treat constipation and maintain a regular stooling pattern. And experts recommend treating constipation in children, especially if they have bowel and bladder dysfunction. 

How can you treat constipation at home?

There are two phases of treating constipation: the “clean-out” phase and the maintenance phase.

Clean-out phase

During the clean-out phase, people empty their bowels. People always need medication during this phase, and it can take up to a week to entirely clean the bowels of stool. 

Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) is a common medication for this phase. It is effective, with minimal side effects. 

Maintenance phase

After the clean-out phase, people move into the maintenance phase. The goal of this phase is to find a bowel regimen that works for you so you can stool regularly. Here are some common constipation treatments that people turn to during the maintenance phase:

• Stool softeners: These medications, like over-the-counter docusate (Colace), soften the stool to make it easier to pass through the colon.

• Laxatives: These medications work by pulling water from your body into the colon, so the stool becomes softer and has an easier time traveling through the large intestine. It’s important to follow the package instructions and directions from your healthcare professional. They’re generally safe and don’t affect your UTI treatments, says Dr. Ketwaroo. Some laxative options include Miralax and magnesium supplements (Magnesium citrate or Milk of Magnesia) and Lactulose.

• Stimulants: These medications help move the bowels to push the stool out of your body. Examples include senna (Senokot) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax).

• Lubricants: These medications, like mineral oil, make the stool easier to pass by coating it with moisture. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles, published several short stories, had a script recently optioned, and presented 20 scientific presentations, two of which placed in the top 3 at the American College of Physicians.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts