So, YOU need to poop?

You are not alone! But what do you try? What do all these different medications do? 

REGULAR USE:
The following laxatives are generally seen as non-habit forming. I approve using these regularly, but I am someone who does try to get folks off of these if they aren't needed. Generally speaking, having enough water, fiber, and exercise as part of your regular routine allows for bowel movements to be regular (daily, typically even at the same time each day) and easy (you shouldn't have to strain or bear down and the stool is well-formed, easy to pass). I do recommend a squatty potty (or any stool that is similar) to organize your anatomy for bowel emptying and support good rectal health. 

I'm listing these options in order that I typically recommend them. That being said, I also try to describe which laxative may be helpful if you are having a specific, consistent type of constipation or unsatisfying poo; so if you identify with one dysfunctional type of poo, then perhaps trying its counter first is best for YOU!

Bulking/bulk forming/fiber Laxative:
These help to bulk your stool--ie. make it bigger and helps it all come at once. It does this by pulling water from your intestines. These can be super helpful if you are having several small bowel movements throughout the morning or day that are unsatisfying. Bulking also can help with a more consistent urge for a bowel movement as it makes the stools a little bigger and helps stimulate the colon to send the urge for emptying!

EXAMPLES: 
Psyllium husk (Metamucil)
Polycarbophil (FiberCon)
Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
Prunes! Prune juice - please note that prune juice is very very acidic

Working time: typically 12 hours - 3 days

​Saline Laxative:
These also tend to be gentle. They also help retain water in the colon by salt mechanism and are often best when accompanied by a full glass of water to then help produce a bowel movement. These can stimulate the bowels in a safe and gentle way. This can be great to re-establish a normal bowel movement regimen if you have gotten off track (pooping at different times each day, etc). 

EXAMPLES:
Magnesium Citrate (Natural Calm) *I usually recommend this first over the other options)
Magnesium Hydroxide (DulcoLax - read the label, DulcoLax has many forms, Ex-Lax, Milk of Magnesia)

Working time: 30 mins - 6 hours

Osmotic Laxative:
These are very gentle and typically effective over time. They pull water into the colon and are typically helpful especially if your stools are hard or pebble-like. 

EXAMPLES: 
Magnesium Citrate
Polyethlene Glycol (MiraLAX, Gavilax)

Working time: typically 24 hours (up to 3 days)

Stool Softener/Emollient Laxative: 
I hesitate to use the term "stool softener" since if you read the above, I'd also call those stool softeners...but anyway. This is a different kind that increases water AND fat content into the stool, which sometimes makes it even easier to pass.

EXAMPLES:
Docusate Sodium (Colace, DulcoLax)
Docusate Calcium

**Please note often these are paired with stimulants (see below) so be sure you know what you are buying!**


IRREGULAR USE:
Ok, so none of the above has worked after a few days of trying. It's time to sound the alarm--what else is safe to use? Think of these options as a solution for an acute constipation bout.

Lubricant Laxative:
This coats the stool and intestines to lubricate stools and prevent water loss. This is not necessarily habit forming, but using a lubricant laxative can prevent absorption of good things, so limiting its use is important. 

EXAMPLES:
Mineral oil

Working time: 6-8 hours

Stimulant Laxative:
The following laxatives use water balance but also have a stimulating effect on the colon. For this reason, these are to be used with care as sometimes if a medication does it's job, the colon will become lazy and not want to do it on its own, which would make this habit forming. I have seen these be prescribed prior to surgery to empty the bowels. 

EXAMPLES:
Docusate Sodium (Colace, DulcoLax Stool Softener)
Bisacodyl (DulcoLax, Gentle Laxative)
Sennosides (Senna, Senokot)

Working time: 6 hours - 3 days

IF none of these are working, there are also suppositories and enemas to consider. More on this later.