Try a lubricant laxative -- mineral oil or olive oil at bedtime. A well-structured study shows that olive oil works as well as mineral oil.

Mineral oil works by coating the bowel and stool with a waterproof film that provides slip. Olive oil may do the same. I have used both and both seem to provide similar benefit. Miralax doesn't work for me.

Experiment with the dosage. I take just shy of 1 teaspoon of olive oil but have a sensitive gut. Olive oil is safer -- try that first. My mineral oil bottle says the dose is 1 T - 3 T, so it should be the same for olive oil. Before trying mineral oil, check with your doctor.

Tip: I keep the oil in my mouth for 20-30 seconds so it can mix with my saliva, to make it easier to swallow. Then I do a water chaser.