Hi all,
My feelings on this are:
1) Mental stress plays a MAJOR role!.... My personality is one which needs to be very much in control and I am still learning to accept now that sometimes I do NOT have to have 2 BM's a day! I range between 1 - 3 a day (generally 2) but if I have just the one (always in the morning) my body almost goes into anxiety by the end of the day that I have not had another - I feel like I am getting backed up, when actually I'm not - I just don't need to go! If I feel like this, I simply have a hot bath, relax a bit and then I realise I was actually stressing over nothing - The next morning I wake up, have a nice soft BM as usual and continue my day & wonder why I put myself through that. There's been times I've actually been squatting on the toilet awhile (never forcing anymore!!) but willing a BM to come when actually I don't need one, yet my body is in such a state of anxiety about not being able to go, I'm getting all these false symptoms that I need to.......(Incidentally IBS does not help at all with this, especially if you have over-sensitive bowels! - even a small amount of waste in your body can produce feelings of BM urges and actually there may not be enough stool in there to expel)
Kreaybutt - you're spot on...if you are distracted enough instead of focusing on when you need to go etc...everything happens totally naturally and the event itself is so much more relaxed. It's that whole anticipation thing that causes a build up of stress to the event!
2) Magnesium has been a miracle for me. According to the link below, Magnesium is nature’s muscle relaxant. When there is excess calcium in the cell and insufficient magnesium, cramping, twitching and spasms occur. I have never had softer and easier stools since introducing it as a supplement and I have not even had urges to strain since taking this, so would recommend anyone just to try it! (If in doubt however, ALWAYS check with your GP)
and yes, because Magnesium can produce a slightly laxative effect, it's wise to watch what stool softener you're taking with it. Personally, I find Magnesium alone adequate and no longer take any other Stool Softener.
http://www.amyguinther.com/the-miracle-of-magnesium/