Mumbai, Feb 28 (IANS): Women in the 45-60 years age group are majorly suffering from Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS)-- difficulty in evacuation or emptying the rectum -- due to multiple deliveries or childbirth earlier, a study revealed on Tuesday.

The study of 1,578 patients in the last three years also revealed that 42 per cent of the population suffered from the problems, mostly women.

"From amongst those who visited the out-patient department, 1,578 patients were surveyed in the age group of 20 years to 70 years, 665 patients had symptoms of ODS," said the study conducted by Zen hospital here.

According to the survey, the patients were provided timely treatment, 230 were operated upon and the rest were given specialised pelvic floor exercises and bio feedback treatment.

"Most of those affected were women between the age group of 40 years to 65 years. This condition is increasingly common in women as they undergo multiple deliveries or childbirth," said the study.

"ODS has come to the forefront only in the last decade, as it is difficult to detect, often patients were given the wrong treatment," said the report quoting Roy Patankar, Director of Zen Hospital.

He said: "Many considered it to be a psychological condition, now through the defecography MRI the patient is asked to strain and try to pass stool. Based on these MRI findings, patients are asked to either exercise or undergo surgery. If timely treatment is not imparted, then it can lead to bleeding in stools due to excessive strain."

According to medical science earlier, middle-aged women were commonly affected by ODS but in the last few years, younger age groups of women are also facing this.

ODS is characterised by complex symptoms which include a sense of incomplete evacuation, when the rectum muscles become weak and make it difficult to pass stool.

Patients often feel they have constipation or piles or fissure and tend to rely on home remedies.