Bowel incontinence

What is bowel incontinence?

Bowel incontinence is not being able to control your bowel movements. It can range from an occasional leakage of poo to a complete loss of bowel control.

Bowel incontinence may be caused by weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles and muscles around the anus (e.g. from pregnancy or childbirth).

It might also be due to:

• chronic constipation
• swollen veins around the anus or lower rectum (haemorrhoids)
• pelvic surgery
• pelvic radiation therapy
• certain medical illnesses (e.g. IBS)
• nerve damage from conditions such as diabetes
• the rectum coming out of the anus (prolapse).

Diagnosis

If you are worried about leakage, talk to your doctor. They will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They may also ask you to keep a diary of your bowel habits and list what you eat and drink for seven days.

During your appointment, your doctor may do a physical examination. For example, they might feel your tummy or look at your anus.

They may also ask if it’s okay to check your anus, anal sphincters, pelvic floor muscles and rectum by gently inserting a finger into your rectum. You can tell your doctor if you don’t feel comfortable having an internal examination.

You might have to do other tests. For example:

• a test to check your anal reflexes and sensations
• an ultrasound to check the rectum and the anal sphincters.

Prevention and management

You may be able to prevent and manage bowel incontinence with diet and lifestyle. For example:

• drink plenty of fluid (preferably water) each day
• reduce caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
• eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods that contain fibre
• stay active
• do regular pelvic floor muscle exercises
• learn how to use your pelvic floor muscles to hold on until you get to the toilet and relax when you sit on toilet.

Learn more about good bowel health.

Medicine or surgery may be used to treat some types of bowel incontinence.

You can get help from a continence health professional such as a pelvic floor physiotherapist or nurse continence specialist.

Learn more about bowel incontinence on the Continence Foundation of Australia website.

You can also contact the National Continence Helpline.