What is the primary purpose of a laxative?

The primary purpose of a laxative is to facilitate bowel movements. Laxatives are substances that help stimulate or ease the passage of stool through the intestines, making them essential for individuals experiencing constipation or irregular bowel movements. By promoting bowel evacuation, laxatives can alleviate discomfort associated with hard or infrequent stools, contributing to digestive health.

In this context, while reducing discomfort may be a secondary benefit of laxative use, the main action of these medications is their ability to encourage the normal movement of the bowel. Other options are unrelated; for instance, killing mites pertains to anti-parasitic treatments, lowering blood pressure involves a different class of medications aimed at managing cardiovascular health, and neither of those aligns with the primary action of a laxative.