Sometimes, despite your best efforts, constipation remains unresolved. This common issue affects people of all ages, but one woman’s harrowing experience serves as a serious reminder not to ignore it. Courtney Ingham, 21, wants to warn others after struggling with severe constipation for eight months.
Despite daily laxatives, fiber supplements, and black coffee, Courtney found no relief. Initially, she didn’t worry, but as severe bloating and stomach cramps began interfering with her job as a carer in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, she grew concerned. She eventually was only having a bowel movement every three weeks, causing significant abdominal swelling.
One day in June, while straining in the bathroom, she heard a “pop” and discovered she was bleeding. To her horror, she realized her anus and some internal organs had prolapsed. “It was like something had shifted painfully out of place,” she recalled, comparing the pain to childbirth.
At first, she only spotted blood, but the bleeding worsened, prompting her to seek medical help. Doctors diagnosed her with a rectal prolapse, which occurs when the rectum lacks support and protrudes out of the anus.
Attempts to relieve her discomfort with a suppository failed due to intense pain. The following day, she underwent a procedure under general anesthesia to correct the prolapse and clear her bowels.
Doctors found her sphincter muscle wasn’t retracting correctly and tried Botox injections to relax it, though this didn’t work, leaving her in ongoing pain.
“The prolapse meant my organs were actually exiting through the opening,” Courtney explained. While the issue was temporarily resolved, it left her with anal fissures, which felt like deep wounds. The ordeal has severely affected her mental health, leaving her dependent on family and friends for daily care.
Two weeks after surgery, she returned to the hospital with pain and vomiting. Despite attempts to manage her condition, including a second Botox treatment, doctors are now considering a stoma bag. “At 21, this was devastating,” she said. “I felt like I was grieving the loss of normal toilet function.”
Courtney still has infrequent bowel movements, only about once every three weeks, which affects her daily life and limits her clothing choices. Her situation remains a constant challenge.
Although she’s been tested for IBS and Crohn’s Disease without results, she’s scheduled to see a specialist in December. To raise awareness, she’s sharing her story on platforms like TikTok. “If anyone notices changes in their bowel habits or difficulty going to the bathroom, they should see a GP right away. Early intervention could have saved me from this,” she advised.