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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Anal Fissure, Can Stool Become Hard While Taking Stool Softener?

Can stool become hard while taking a stool softener? I haven t had a bowel movement in a little over 5 days. I started taking softeners after about the second day of not going. Is it possible that my stool will come out hard when I finally pass while taking the softeners? The softener I am taking is Dulcolax, 3 pills per day I took it. I have an anal fissure that I don t want to injure, and am worried of not being able to go while having the fissure.
Fri, 28 Mar 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
A two days gap for stools dehydrates the formed stool content in rectum and results in extremely hard and painful defecation thereafter. you need to see that you regularize your habit to once dialy with stool softeners. if you use dulcolax once in a while, it may fail.
you are correct in that a hard stool disturbs fissure and can turn troublesome. you should include high fiber diet (isphagula husk) in your menu every night which will immensely help.
if these don't work, a surgical consulation will be required.
All the best.
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Anal Fissure, Can Stool Become Hard While Taking Stool Softener?

Hi, A two days gap for stools dehydrates the formed stool content in rectum and results in extremely hard and painful defecation thereafter. you need to see that you regularize your habit to once dialy with stool softeners. if you use dulcolax once in a while, it may fail. you are correct in that a hard stool disturbs fissure and can turn troublesome. you should include high fiber diet (isphagula husk) in your menu every night which will immensely help. if these don t work, a surgical consulation will be required. All the best.