Crohn’s Disease Constipation – Causes, Symptoms, & Solutions

If you’re anything like I was, you probably heard “Crohn’s Disease” and instantly pictured nonstop diarrhea. I used to think the same. But during my healing journey, constipation came up more often than people talk about, and it was just as uncomfortable and frustrating.

There were stretches where I felt completely backed up. I’d go days without a normal bowel movement, dealing with bloating, pressure, and that sluggish, heavy feeling that made it hard to focus on anything else. I didn’t always know what caused it: was it the inflammation? My diet? A medication? Either way, I knew it was real, it was affecting my life, and it needed attention.

Crohn’s is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can affect any part of the GI tract, though it usually settles somewhere around the ileum or colon. What makes Crohn’s tricky is how differently it shows up for everyone. Some people deal with daily diarrhea, others swing between symptoms, and then there are people like me who’ve had unexpected bouts of constipation in the mix.

When the gut is inflamed or damaged, it doesn’t always move like it should. And that’s where things start to slow down, literally.

Absolutely. And in my case, it wasn’t just the Crohn’s itself, it was a mix of everything: inflammation, medication, stress, and even the low-fiber diet I was sticking to in an attempt to stay in remission.

I used to think something had to be “stuck” for constipation to happen. But with Crohn’s, it’s more nuanced. Inflammation can actually change how your gut moves, and that can mess with your regularity. Strictures, for example, are narrowed parts of the bowel that can physically block or delay stool. Even when strictures weren’t present for me, I could still feel that gut-slowing effect during certain flare up cycles or periods of stress.

When I talk about constipation, I don’t just mean skipping a day or two. I’m talking about the kind of constipation that feels like you’re carrying around bricks in your belly. Hard, dry stool. That annoying “still not done” feeling after finally going. Bloating that makes you avoid tight clothes.

There were days when I’d feel pressure in my lower abdomen that wasn’t quite pain, but definitely uncomfortable. If I was traveling, it got worse. Lack of movement, new routines, and food choices I wasn’t used to made things stall fast. Sometimes I’d go from days of not going to sudden diarrhea, and then back again.

Inflammation and Narrowing

One of the biggest reasons is inflammation. When parts of your intestines are inflamed, they don’t move properly. That slower movement, or in some cases, narrowing from scar tissue makes it harder for stool to pass through.

Medications

Pain meds, especially anything in the opioid family, made things worse for me. Even iron supplements (which I took briefly for anemia) noticeably slowed me down. I learned to be cautious with anything that could affect motility, even if it seemed helpful on paper.

Diet

At one point, I was on a super strict low-fiber, anti-inflammatory diet. Basically meat, cooked veggies, broth, and herbal tea. While that helped my inflammation, it sometimes made my gut sluggish. When I was too restrictive, things moved too slowly. When I found the right balance (with things like cooked carrots, squash, and small amounts of greens), I started noticing more regularity.

Lack of Movement

This part surprised me. During flares, I’d spend a lot of time lying down. And I didn’t realize how much regular movement helped digestion until I wasn’t doing it. Even short walks or light stretching in the morning made a noticeable difference.

Stress

I’ll be honest, stress is one of my biggest triggers, and it doesn’t just hit during flares. I’ve had times when I was technically in remission but still got constipated because I was overwhelmed or anxious. There’s a reason they call the gut the “second brain.”

I didn’t immediately run to the doctor every time I got constipated, but when it started happening regularly or was paired with other symptoms like pain or nausea, I got it checked out. In one instance, I had imaging done just to rule out a stricture or blockage. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious, but I was glad I didn’t just ignore it.

In my experience, a GI doctor might order tests like:

• Imaging (CT or MRI enterography)

• Colonoscopy

• Labs for inflammation markers

• A physical exam

They’re mostly checking for complications like strictures, partial obstructions, or even something rare like toxic megacolon.

Treating the Underlying Inflammation

For me, this always came first. I stuck to mesalamine, which helped a lot without the side effects of biologics like Skyrizi or Stelara. When I focused on healing my gut through diet, rest, and supplements, everything including constipation improved over time.

Supplements

Magnesium became a game-changer. I used magnesium citrate during flare-ups and magnesium glycinate when things were calmer. I also used ginger (either fresh or in capsule form) to get things moving gently. You can find the exact supplements I used in the GutMellow Supplement Guide.

Bone Broth and Hydration

Bone broth was my daily go-to. I sipped it in the mornings, sometimes with sea salt or ginger added. It gave me electrolytes, nutrients, and hydration without triggering anything. If I got dehydrated, everything slowed down. So I made a point to drink water throughout the day, often with lemon or cucumber to make it more enjoyable.

Gentle Fiber (When I Could Tolerate It)

Once I was in remission, I reintroduced soft, soluble fiber. Things like cooked zucchini, avocado, or the occasional berry. If I added too much, I’d bloat. But just the right amount helped keep things consistent.

Daily Movement

Even when I was tired, I’d try to do something like walking around the block, gentle stretching, or standing up to work for a bit. My gut just worked better when I moved.

There were times when my body couldn’t decide what to do. One day I’d be backed up, the next I’d have diarrhea. I later learned that this could be a mix of Crohn’s and something called post-inflammatory IBS. It didn’t mean I was flaring, it just meant my gut motility was unpredictable.

Keeping a symptom journal helped me figure out what patterns were connected to stress, food, or other triggers.

Over time, I found a rhythm that kept me pretty regular, though like everything with Crohn’s, it took trial and error. I still stick to what I call a “gut-safe” lifestyle: whole foods, no dairy or gluten, simple meals, hydration, and low stress (or at least better stress management). You can find all the details in my full GutMellow Remission Roadmap.

When I feel things slowing down, I look at my sleep, water intake, magnesium, and stress first. That usually gives me some clue about what’s going on.

Crohn’s-related constipation isn’t talked about much, but it’s a real part of the experience for many of us. I’ve had it show up at weird times like during remission, after travel, during stressful weeks, and it’s taught me to pay closer attention to the signals my body gives me.

If you’re navigating Crohn’s and constipation at the same time, I get it. It’s uncomfortable, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. But once I stopped chasing a “normal” gut and started supporting my gut, I found relief. That’s what inspired me to create GutMellow in the first place, a clear, natural path to gut healing based on what’s actually worked.

You can check out the Remission Roadmap if you want a breakdown of the exact steps I followed to calm my gut, stop the flare-up cycle, and deal with stuff like constipation without guessing anymore.

After a decade of trial and error, I finally found a combination of strategies that actually worked. I went from constant flare-ups to long-term remission, without biologics or surgery. I created GutMellow to share my experience and help others navigate their own healing journey.

The GutMellow Remission Roadmap includes everything I wish I had when I was first diagnosed. It’s a comprehensive resource that outlines the exact steps I took to regain control of my gut health, including:

This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am sharing my personal experience, every individual’s health journey is unique. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or lifestyle. Healing is a personal journey, and what worked for me may not work for everyone.