• A low-fibre diet

• Inadequate fluid intake

• Low level of exercise

• Poor access to a toilet when nature calls

• Lack of privacy

• Weak belly and pelvic muscles after surgery or childbirth

• Some medications, particularly those containing codeine. Actions that you can take to improve your regularity include:

• Drink five or six glasses of fluid a day

• Exercise daily

• Eat more fruit, vegetables and wholemeal cereals

• Take bulking agents (eg. Normacol, Metamucil) and fibre supplements

• Use faecal softeners (eg. Coloxyl).

If you have anal bleeding or abdominal pain, you should see your doctor.