Does resting-state fMRI show brain activity differences in women with functional constipation?

Yes, resting-state fMRI shows brain activity differences in women with functional constipation. Research indicates that women with this condition have altered activity in areas of the brain that control emotions, pain, and movement. These changes are often linked to symptoms like abdominal pain and anxiety.

What the research says

Studies using resting-state fMRI have found that women with functional constipation show different baseline brain activity in regions involved in emotional regulation and motor control. One 2016 study identified significant differences in areas like the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and supplementary motor area compared to healthy controls ⁴.

Research also highlights that these brain activity differences vary by sex. A 2019 study found that female patients had lower activity in the precentral gyrus, thalamus, insula, and orbital frontal cortex compared to male patients ⁵. In women, activity in the insula and orbital frontal cortex was linked to abdominal pain and difficulty evacuating stool ⁵.

Another 2026 study focused specifically on women with and without stress urinary incontinence. It found that women with both conditions showed higher activity in the right supplementary motor area and right middle frontal gyrus compared to women with constipation alone ¹⁶. This suggests that the presence of incontinence adds another layer of neural change on top of the constipation itself.

What to ask your doctor

• Do my symptoms like abdominal pain or anxiety match the brain activity changes seen in studies?
• How might my specific symptoms, such as difficulty evacuating stool, relate to my brain function?
• Is it possible I have both functional constipation and stress urinary incontinence, which might change my brain scan results?
• What treatments are available to help manage the brain-body connections affected by my condition?