Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Fecal incontinence is involuntary fecal elimination due to an inability to control bowel movements. It is also often referred to as bowel incontinence or accidental bowel leakage. People who develop fecal incontinence cannot control passing solid or liquidstoolormucus.
This article discusses the types, symptoms, causes, and treatments available for fecal incontinence.
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Types of Fecal Incontinence
There are three types of fecal incontinence:
What Are the Symptoms of Fecal Incontinence?
The main symptom of fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements. This leads to stool leakage that can occur anytime outside the bathroom. For example, a person with fecal incontinence may cough or pass gas, and at the same time, excretestoolbeyond their control.
Sometimes, a person is aware that it’s happening and cannot control it, but others do not know that it’s happening. The only other symptom associated with fecal incontinence is soiling, which involves fecal matter staining underwear and clothing.
How Common Is Fecal Incontinence and Who Gets It Most?
What Causes Fecal Incontinence?
There are several causes associated with fecal incontinence, and they fall into one of three categories:
Some underlying health disorders that can lead to fecal incontinence include:
Trauma to the area can also lead to the development of fecal incontinence. In some cases, traumas can damage nerves that play a role in controlling bowel movements.
Other injuries cause fecal incontinence because they can weaken pelvic floor muscles andmuscles in the sphincterand the pelvic floor muscles. Some possible traumas include:
Children who develop fecal incontinence do so because of congenital disabilities that affect how the anus, rectum, or colon work, as is the case withHirschsprung’s disease.
How Does Giving Birth Vaginally Cause Fecal Incontinence?
Not everyone who has a child via vaginal delivery will develop fecal incontinence. However, damage to the anal sphincter can occur if:
What Is Fecal Incontinence?
How Is Fecal Incontinence Diagnosed?
The diagnostic process for fecal incontinence can be extensive. Several tests and exams are available, but your healthcare provider will first gather a health history and collection of your symptoms. They will ask you:
You will also take tests that check for conditions and diseases that can cause fecal incontinence, such as:
To investigate how well the bowel is functioning, healthcare providers will conduct imaging and other tests as well, including:
Why Is Testing So Intensive?Because there are various causes, some of which can be severe health conditions, thorough testing is vital for someone with fecal incontinence. That way, they can determine the direct cause and receive the proper treatment.
Why Is Testing So Intensive?
Because there are various causes, some of which can be severe health conditions, thorough testing is vital for someone with fecal incontinence. That way, they can determine the direct cause and receive the proper treatment.
How Is Fecal Incontinence Treated?
If these treatments don’t eliminate or relieve symptoms, medical providers will opt for different types of treatment. Therapies that may help fecal incontinence include:
Surgery as a Treatment RouteIn some cases, surgery can address fecal incontinence. Some surgeries include:Sphincteroplasty, which reconnects separated anal sphincters after an injury or childbirthArtificial anal sphincter, which introduces a cuff around the anus while implanting a small pump so that it can be inflated or deflated depending on when you need to make a bowel movementColostomy, which involves bringing the colon to a hole in the abdominal wall so stool can pass into a bag outside the abdomen as opposed to through the rectum or anus
Surgery as a Treatment Route
In some cases, surgery can address fecal incontinence. Some surgeries include:Sphincteroplasty, which reconnects separated anal sphincters after an injury or childbirthArtificial anal sphincter, which introduces a cuff around the anus while implanting a small pump so that it can be inflated or deflated depending on when you need to make a bowel movementColostomy, which involves bringing the colon to a hole in the abdominal wall so stool can pass into a bag outside the abdomen as opposed to through the rectum or anus
In some cases, surgery can address fecal incontinence. Some surgeries include:
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Coping With Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence can go hand in hand with embarrassment, but it is no reason to feel ashamed. There are ways to cope well with fecal incontinence to help improve your overall quality of life. They include:
Overcoming EmbarrassmentFecal incontinence is a medical problem with viable treatment options. Although it won’t go away on its own, with the right therapy and medical provider, you can relieve and manage your fecal incontinence. Like any other health disorder, it is no reason to feel ashamed.
Overcoming Embarrassment
Fecal incontinence is a medical problem with viable treatment options. Although it won’t go away on its own, with the right therapy and medical provider, you can relieve and manage your fecal incontinence. Like any other health disorder, it is no reason to feel ashamed.
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Summary
Fecal incontinence is a lack of bowel control. Sometimes, people with the disorder know it’s happening but cannot reach the bathroom in time, whereas others are unaware they are experiencing bowel leakage.
To diagnose and treat fecal incontinence, your medical provider must conduct various tests and exams to confirm the cause and start the proper therapies. Though fecal incontinence isn’t easy to cope with, managing it effectively can reduce anal leakage. If you’re experiencing fecal incontinence, contact your healthcare provider. They will help diagnose and treat the disorder to improve your quality of life.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bharucha AE, Knowles CH, Mack I, et al.Faecal incontinence in adults.Nat Rev Dis Primers.2022 Aug 10;8(1):53. doi:10.1038/s41572-022-00381-7National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of fecal incontinence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of fecal incontinence.Mount Nittany Health.Understanding fecal incontinence after pregnancy (postpartum).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of fecal incontinence.Olson CH.Diagnostic testing for fecal incontinence.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2014 Sep;27(3):85-90. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1383901National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bharucha AE, Knowles CH, Mack I, et al.Faecal incontinence in adults.Nat Rev Dis Primers.2022 Aug 10;8(1):53. doi:10.1038/s41572-022-00381-7National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of fecal incontinence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of fecal incontinence.Mount Nittany Health.Understanding fecal incontinence after pregnancy (postpartum).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of fecal incontinence.Olson CH.Diagnostic testing for fecal incontinence.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2014 Sep;27(3):85-90. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1383901National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bharucha AE, Knowles CH, Mack I, et al.Faecal incontinence in adults.Nat Rev Dis Primers.2022 Aug 10;8(1):53. doi:10.1038/s41572-022-00381-7National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of fecal incontinence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of fecal incontinence.Mount Nittany Health.Understanding fecal incontinence after pregnancy (postpartum).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of fecal incontinence.Olson CH.Diagnostic testing for fecal incontinence.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2014 Sep;27(3):85-90. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1383901National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.
Bharucha AE, Knowles CH, Mack I, et al.Faecal incontinence in adults.Nat Rev Dis Primers.2022 Aug 10;8(1):53. doi:10.1038/s41572-022-00381-7
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of fecal incontinence.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of fecal incontinence.
Mount Nittany Health.Understanding fecal incontinence after pregnancy (postpartum).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of fecal incontinence.
Olson CH.Diagnostic testing for fecal incontinence.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2014 Sep;27(3):85-90. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1383901
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of fecal incontinence.
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