Melatonin and constipation

Recently I learned older daughter has been taking melatonin to help her sleep. The law firm where she works is busy and she’s working overtime at night.

This past weekend we were having dinner together at her place, and I noticed her new silicone fountain syringe hanging in the shower. I asked her what was happening, and she said that she thought the melatonin was making her constipated. She had given herself an enema that morning.

I adore my 30s daughter more than I can ever say. She’s a really smart young woman, except she can also be really dense about some things. Once a mom always a mom, so I told her what I knew about melatonin, since I took it when I used to fly across time zones, and yes, it can and does cause constipation.

Melatonin is now all over the sleeping aid shelves in pharmacies. For those of you who have or are taking melatonin, what has been your experience?

While I have not used Melatonin, I can't help but wonder if the extra down time (sleep) has an effect on the bowel. I do sometimes use Diphenhidramine.

I find that I sometimes sleep, or fight through those natural urges, that I shouldn't ignore. By the time I'm upright, things are so dry that the extra boost of a quick enema are the easiest way to get things moving.

It may be akin to “withholding” that some refer to, especially as kids or younger persons that are so busy they ignore the natural signals.

In any case, an enema can be a great way to kick off a hectic day of work or fun!

I've been taking melatonin for several years (CVS brand 10 mg gummies). I haven't noticed any change in bowel habits. It does cause some really interesting dreams though. Not nightmares, just vivid intense dreams.

Best to Google to see it constipation is a side effect.

Nausea, diarrhea, constipation are some of the noted side eddects of Melatonin….so are vivid dreams!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/melatonin-side-effects/faq-20057874

I started taking Melatonin about a year ago and now I understand more about why I've been having really vivid dreams. I even had a dream that surprised me when I remembered it. Probably due to my kink, I was in bed getting an enema and people were going by. I don't know why they were walking by or where I was, or why I was there. There may have been more to it than that, I just don't remember but it was different and startling. I still wake up knowing I've had a vivid dream, I just don't remember them after a few minutes. I do remember one dream was about a train trip but I lost the details after being awake.

As far as constipation, I really don't think so as that hasn't been a problem since I was a teenager, and I think that back then that was due to growing up in the "golden" era and that was likely more imagined than real, but that was a LONG time ago!

LostInThe50s