Was Actual Constipation More Common in the "Golden Age?"

I think that in the 1950s to 1980s, there was a kind of movement of “hygienism”, artificialization and fixing the body, particularly of children. In the 1970s, mothers were advised to sterilize baby bottles with boiling water and take all kinds of precautions to avoid bacteria. Tonsils were routinely removed. In the US, boys were routinely circumcised, and in France this surgery was commonly applied in case the foreskin resisted retraction.

So probably it was not only a question of constipation being common or uncommon, but that constipation was something to be fixed even by embarrassing and unpleasant means.

I suppose that since centuries human beings have been constipated and they knew how to cure this uncomfortable incidence in an appropriate manner. An example: Since when will people swallow castor oil in order to relieve a constipation in a comfortable manner?

As I’ve said, earlier in this discussion, I believe constipation runs in families. It sure did in mine. Having gone to school in the 50’s thru the early 60’s. Conversations among kids an adults about enemas was common place. Kids discussed, among themselves, all the various reasons their moms gave them enemas. And adults talked, among themselves, why their kids needed a good enema and how often. In todays world, conversations about enemas is taboo. During the time frame enema discussions were common place, discussions about sex was taboo. Why enemas and sex have changed places, is a good question? I don’t know the reason why. But that doesn’t answer the question about constipation being more prevalent now or in the Golden Age. Personally, I don’t thing there’s been much of a change. The root causes may have changed, but constipation is just as prevalent today, as it ever was during the Golden Age. I think constipation is like enemas, then and now, constipation has followed enemas, because the two are linked together. One being a relief for the other. And it’s just something that’s not discussed today.

As I’ve said, earlier in this discussion, I believe constipation runs in families

There may be a correlation in statistics, but the true underlying cause might be for a different reason. Have you considered that members of the same family will eat the same foods, which in themselves could be a more primary cause of constipation than genetics?

This is like the first lessons we got in sociology 101. A nation's birthrate was until recently directly correlated to steel production. More steel produced resulted in an increase in births. The real reason though is because steel production is correlated to economic production and the creation of wealth and the more secure a nation's families are regarding employment and wages, the more children they will have.

There may be a correlation in statistics, but the true underlying cause might be for a different reason. Have you considered that families often eat the same foods, which in themselves could be a more primary cause of constipation than genetics?

I suppose that the cause for the actual constipation in your country will not be the fact that families often eat the same foods, but that families often eat the same unhealthy foods.

Actual constipation was seemingly treated differently many years ago inasmuch as an enema was a more common modality to address it.

These days, enemas have been relegated to the position of “last resort” to address constipation. Opioids, processed foods, and other issues, still contribute to the issue. A family history of enema use, may still be a catalyst for their use these days!

@agracier said,

There may be a correlation in statistics, but the true underlying cause might be for a different reason. Have you considered that families often eat the same foods, which in themselves could be a more primary cause of constipation than genetics?

I have considered alternatives and was referring to personal habits more than genetics, both playing their respective rolls. With my siblings an I, the primary issue was holding back when we should have answered natures call. My and my brothers kids had the very same issue, as does my brothers grandchildren today. Even the reasons for holding back varies depending on the particular situation. For example: Not using the facilities at school and waiting to get home to answer the call. Other causes are diet, not drinking enough water, and too much screen time.

I grew up in the 50's and 60's and I agree with much that has been said. The restrooms at school did contribute to my constipation since I did not want go in a stall with no door. Also it runs in families. My mother took almost weekly if not bi-weekly enemas so I definitely take after her. Also in that time you did not have the drug companies pushing laxatives like they do now, and doctors were more open to more natural cures like a little warm water instead of strong chemicals.

In my neighborhood @1959-62 boys were getting enemas for constipation issues regularly. You'd hear the discrete “reports” about who “got a enema” like a breaking news event. Sometimes with the juicy details of crying/fussing,etc. At least 1 a month. When I got my first ever enema bag enema at age 9 the entire clan of neighborhood buddies knew about it somehow--about a hour later.

I don’t think so I think if grandma got enemas and gave mom enemas that it’s very likely your going to get enemas .Young girls played house and played with dolls and where learning to be a good mom it’s what moms do. Then there’s the feelings of what enemas bring to the experience of our fraternity of the feel good factors a mom wanting to be a good mom like her mom was .

Constipation years ago was in the mind of the adults. They were obsessed with bowel movements in both adults and children. It may have been a reality and something they could easily monitor, but today it’s less talked/discussed in public but still a major focus as all one has to do is look at the selection of laxatives in a drug store. The stuff would not be on the shelf if it was not selling.

I don't think so. Enemas were a regular occurrence in our house, and not exclusively for constipation. They were also given at the onset of any illness, as a preventative measure if mom suspected something was “going around”, for foul gas, and even if mom decided it had been awhile since I was last cleaned out. It was just an accepted part of life for kids growing up back then. Mom and dad gave each other enemas back then too, and when I got older I always wondered if there was more than just bowel cleansing going on in the bathroom.

It was thanks to sulfa drugs in the late 1940's, before Penicillin, that resulted in my being severely constipated and thus began the regime of daily finger checks and strong soapy enemas whenever I spent too long sitting without results.

I'm not sure constipation was more prevalent back then. Rather, I think our moms were: 1) convinced that we had to have a daily bowel movement, 2) preferred enemas over laxatives and suppositories, and 3) assumed we were constipated sometimes when we weren't. I know my mom attributed constipation to a variety of things, ranging from headaches to whininess.

I think it was more prevalent back then (middle america baby boom). The foods we ate were overprocessed. There was no whole grain anything. Veggies were cooked to mush. Fiber was not a big part of the diet. That being said, I complete agree that moms and grannys were far more focused on the issue.

I'm not sure constipation was more prevalent back then. Rather, I think our moms were: 1) convinced that we had to have a daily bowel movement, 2) preferred enemas over laxatives and suppositories, and 3) assumed we were constipated sometimes when we weren't. I know my mom attributed constipation to a variety of things, ranging from headaches to whininess.

I suspect that this accurately states the case. My mom was pretty vigilant about keeping track of our bowel movements. Sometimes she would inquire and other times just sort of knew, which was in my mind a mom “skill set.” This sentiment was pretty universal as all my friends were experiencing the same thing. There weren't many secrets about who had gotten or even who was about to get an enema since all of the moms talked with each other about it.

Today you throw in some kind of pill or small lotion, and that's it. That happened quickly and unobtrusively.

I don't think constipation was more common in the past. The diet consisted of high-fiber fare, in contrast to the fast food and industrial diets of modern times.

Enemas were a part of home medicine at the time, which was quickly and cheaply used successfully for many things.

If I sat on the toilet too long, or didn't go to the toilet longer than normal, Mom would step in and administer her dreaded enemas.

I didn't die from them and today they excite me.

Could there be that people were more worried about constipation than we do today? Today constipation is considered because it's unpleasant, but I think 50 years ago or so people thought that it could cause serious problems.

Constipation is caused by various reasons. When I was a child (late 60's, 70's, early 80's) I had frequent constipation. It's been around the age of 15, even though my diet hasn't changed. Today I don't have constipation, even though the food is more processed than in my childhood.

A separate topic is the fashion for using enemas. In my country, enema was a shameful topic. No one was keen to talk about it, but thousands of enema bulbs were sold. I think that many children and teenagers had closer contact with him.

Women today are more active then 50 years ago when I was a kid, and we’re more health conscious about such things as diet and hydration.

However, there is a percentage of women in this high stress environment who suffer with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and if my daughter in her mid 30s is any example, she Is no stranger to occasional premenstrual constipation, enough that she will take a laxative or an enema a day or two before her period.

One thing that struck me is that the word "constipation" was seldom spoken around our house, at the doctor's, or amongst relatives and friends. Backed up, tummy ache, or just having trouble producing a BM, were discussed frequently. "You are going to get an enema" or "Just give that kid an enema" was the usual treatment.

On the other hand, the word "diarrhea" was spoken outright and broadcast openly when one was suffering from "Montezuma's Revenge" or "The shits". It was almost a warning to anyone in proximity to the afflicted. Various meds were always on hand for this issue. It wasn't until that "Minnesota Doctor" pushed the idea of "bowel flushing enemas" that those in my family quickly overcame most typical bouts of "The runs". Ten minutes of the runs from a salt and soda enema, certainly beat the heck out of a continual jaunt to a suitable place for relief.

IBS- c or d or wxyz seems to be a more modern/discrete term to describe the problem of digestive distress, either constipation or diarrhea.

@sse4fun said,

It wasn't until that "Minnesota Doctor" pushed the idea of "bowel flushing enemas" that those in my family quickly overcame most typical bouts of "The runs". Ten minutes of the runs from a salt and soda enema, certainly beat the heck out of a continual jaunt to a suitable place for relief.

That’s a subject I haven’t seen discussed too much on this forum. That being said, my grandmother was a retired registered nurse and a firm believer in enemas for both kids and adults. So, whenever someone displayed symptoms of needing an enema. One thing was certain, it didn’t matter who you were, an enema was forthcoming. She gave family members enemas for a variety of different reasons that included constipation, being moody, having a stomachache, diarrhea, or helping someone calm down. Her treatment for diarrhea was a couple of warm salt and baking soda rinse enemas. Speaking for myself regarding enemas as a treatment for diarrhea. I can affirm, enemas were effective every time I received one for diarrhea. They not only helped relieve my diarrhea, but helped soothe my sore anus.

I grew up during this time. I don’t believe constipation was more or less common than it is today. Enemas were much more common then because it was the collective behavior of the culture then. Enemas were also a very cheap way to help someone feel better when they were not feeling well and it also led to the sexual arousal of many children then which followed them through out their lives.

I don't know about actual statistics, but a read-thru of Reddit 's "r/constipation" is pretty convincing that constipation is a huge problem, and the answer seems to be laxatives. If you use the word "enema," you run the risk of being yelled at by a "moderator" for giving "unsafe medical advice." This is amazing to me, since there are many on Reddit, particularly young people who would benefit immensely; many of them have gone to the emergency room and left without having their problems solved. The docs act like they don't know anything beyond chemicals or (occasionally) tiny laxative enemas, and the people who need help keep begging for advice and hearing "Miralax." For many, it's a constant problem. YouTube is a bit better, because there at least enemas (or "Transanal irrigation," as some prefer) aren't given the short shrift that they are in other places. There are now "systems" promoted for some people, such as paraplegics and spina bifida sufferers (Coloplast, Peristeen, Navina) who have to have enemas on a daily or near daily basis. I find this fascinating, since a good enema solves constipation problems immediately in most cases, and apparently the docs know it, but they are sort of institutionally against them, and call them "dangerous" (ever see ads for various medicines, and the side effects?).

When I think back on my growing up years I was always constipated. I had regular bowel movements but they always showed I was constipated. I also got almost no enemas. I don't think my mom wanted to give us enemas after we weren't toddlers. During the toddler years the old bum bulb was in constant use. As my grandchildren are growing up I can tell that the same is the case. Their parents are constantly monitoring the frequency of their bowel movements. Stewed prunes have been replaced by MiraLAX, and no bum bulb ever. My mom was not a fan of giving enemas, probably because of the time it took and the reluctance of the patient for getting it. Let's face it, other than us, who really liked getting an enema. Most people's reaction is one of hate and disgust.

I say my mom was not a fan of enemas, but she did serve a lot of stewed prunes for the whole family. The other issue is diet. While people now are more focused on healthy diets, kids don't follow that. It's chicken strips and cheese pizza or french fries. Maybe an occasional vegetable. The saving grace is fruit.

All the above leads to the conclusion that constipation is the same now as it has always been. Looking back on the so called golden age, enemas were a reasonable choice most of the laxatives available were harsh and had just as much negative reaction as and enema, except my mom's approach using stewed prunes.

If you want to look into modern use of enemas, Fleets are the largest selling laxative product, and outsell all others combined. That says that they are in widespread use and although people are reluctant to even talk about them, they do like the reliability and convenience of using an enema.