You’ve doubled your water.

You’ve tried magnesium, probiotics, elimination diets, protocols, powders, and maybe even parasite cleanses…


And somehow, you’re still stuck.


Waking up bloated.

Going days without a proper bowel movement.

Told by your doctor “everything looks normal,” yet nothing about your gut feels normal.


You’ve done more than most people realize- yet you still don’t have answers.


What if the real issue isn’t what you’ve done- but what’s been missed?


Here’s what most people never get told:

Not all constipation is the same.

In fact, there are four different subtypes- and each one needs a different approach.


That’s why what worked for your friend (or your last protocol) might not work for you.

And why throwing the same treatment at everyone- fibre, probiotics, magnesium- often leads to temporary relief at best.


So what do all 4 subtypes have in common?

They’re all part of a category of conditions called Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs)- real, diagnosable conditions that reflect a breakdown in how your gut, brain, and microbiota are communicating.


🧠 That means they don’t show up on most standard tests.

🧪 But they’re very much real- and very treatable once properly identified.


Let’s break each one down....


1. Functional Constipation (aka normal transit constipation)

You’re constipated- but technically, things are moving through your colon at a normal rate.


So what’s the issue?


This is where gut-brain dysfunction really shows up. You may feel incomplete, struggle to go, ignore or lose the urge, or need laxatives to get things going- even though motility tests (if done) look normal.


This is the most common subtype and often underdiagnosed. It doesn’t mean you’re imagining it- it means your gut’s internal reflexes, rhythms, and communication aren’t working properly.


Think: dampened gastrocolic reflex, ignored urges, lack of routine, chronic stress, and nervous system overload.


🧠 Treatment is about retraining the system, restoring responsiveness, and rebuilding gut-brain communication. That’s what the Gut Rhythm Method™ is designed for.


2. IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation)

This subtype includes constipation plus PAIN- usually cramping, bloating, or discomfort that’s relieved by a bowel movement (when you can have one).


The pain is real and often due to something called visceral hypersensitivity, where your gut nerves become extra sensitive to stretch, gas, or movement.


You may also deal with:

  • Fluctuating stool types
  • Triggers that change day to day
  • High stress sensitivity
  • A feeling like your gut is “overreacting” to food or life
  • Anxiety & depression


It’s still a DGBI, and it exists on a spectrum with functional constipation- you can move between the two over time.


⚠️ If you’ve been told it’s “just IBS” without explanation, you’ve likely missed the education + strategy that makes managing this feel doable (this is what we do inside the Gut Rhythm Method™)


3. Slow Transit Constipation

Here, your colon truly is slow. Stool moves through your large intestine much more slowly than average- sometimes taking days longer. That gives the body more time to reabsorb water, leaving stools dry, hard, and difficult to pass.


You may:

  • Go days without any urge to poop
  • Not respond well to fibre alone
  • Feel worse with bulk-forming laxatives
  • Need stimulant or osmotic laxatives regularly


This isn’t fixed with diet alone- but it doesn’t mean you're broken either.


Treatment may include a combination of gut-brain strategies, supervised stimulant laxatives, meal timing, and routine retraining to improve motility.


4. Dyssynergic Defecation

Here, the issue is not how stool moves through your colon- it’s what happens when it gets to the rectum.


This subtype involves pelvic floor uncoordination, meaning the muscles used to poop don’t work together properly. Instead of relaxing, they may contract or tighten- making it feel like you’re pushing against a wall.


Common signs:

  • Straining without relief
  • A feeling of incomplete emptying
  • Needing to change position or use splinting
  • Bloating that doesn’t go away after a BM


This can coexist alongside any of the other 3 subtypes and often does.


The gold standard for diagnosis is anorectal manometry (not typically offered in standard care), but the clues are often in your symptoms.


🧘‍♀️ Treatment includes pelvic floor physiotherapy, targeted toileting posture, nervous system support, and biofeedback.


Wait- which subtype am I?

That’s the million-dollar question- and it’s exactly where I start with my patients.


When you know your subtype, everything gets easier:

  • You stop guessing
  • You stop doing what’s not working
  • And you start using the strategies that match your physiology


It’s also why Step 1 of the Gut Rhythm Method™ is Root Cause Clarity.


Not “root cause” like SIBO, candida, or leaky gut…

But clarity on which type of dysfunction you’re actually dealing with- so we can create a personalized plan that works.


Because what works for slow transit? Doesn't completely work for dyssynergia.

What works for Functional Constipation? Doesn't often properly address the pain & visceral hypersensitivity component of IBS-C

And no, fibre is not always the answer.


Here’s the truth most people miss:

Constipation isn’t a diagnosis- it’s often a symptom of a deeper functional issue.


And when you finally understand which one applies to you, you unlock the ability to:

✅ Poop predictably

✅ Reduce bloating

✅ Eat with less fear

✅ And feel back in sync with your body


🎯 Ready to figure out your subtype and finally feel better?

Learn more about the Gut Rhythm Method™ here.

OR

Book a free Gut Clarity Call to explore what’s been missing in your care.


You don’t need another protocol.

You need a plan that actually makes sense for you.