I took a laxative and now I’m scared

I have never taken laxatives before. The past month or two, I would say I’ve dealt with constipation. I would poop maybe every few days, which is not unusual for me, but I would struggle with passing the stool. And when I did, it was a very small amount. That is not usual for me. So I kept eating fiber and drinking a lot of water. It hasn’t helped. I’ve been thinking of taking a laxative, but I was afraid to. Also, it says it takes 6-12 hours to take effect. So I couldn’t work out a good time to take it.

Yesterday my period started, and while I used to get the period poops, I have not had them for the past year of cycles I would say. I pooped when I woke up this morning but it was difficult to go and I still feel like I have a lot in my body still. So I bit the bullet and took one 5 mg dulcolax. I took that not even two hours ago and 😳 I was not prepared. I was not prepared to be going like this, especially so soon. What does this mean? Do you think it could be because of my period? Or it’s most definitely from the laxative, right? When the hell will it stop? Do you think I will keep going like this for the next day or two? Is it because I’ve been so constipated for so long? Thank goodness I’m off work right now.