Fecal Incontinence

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence, also called bowel incontinence, means you don’t have control over your bowel movements and may leak stool unexpectedly. 

With fecal incontinence, you may only experience mild loss of control, occasionally leaking stool when passing gas. Or, you may have a total loss of bowel control.

No matter the severity, many women find fecal incontinence an embarrassing problem. But with the right treatment, you can regain control over your bowel functions. 

What causes fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence occurs when the nerves and muscles that control bowel movements malfunction. 

There are many potential causes that affect nerve and muscle function, including:

• Muscle damage following childbirth
• Nerve damage following childbirth or excess straining
• Chronic constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pelvic prolapse
• Rectocele (rectum bulging out)
• Hemorrhoids

Your fecal incontinence may be temporary, as is sometimes the case during bouts of diarrhea. However, for many women, the condition is a chronic or recurring problem. 

What can I expect during an evaluation for fecal incontinence?

When you visit The Women's Center for a fecal incontinence evaluation, you can expect a compassionate and comprehensive exam. The team takes a personalized approach to care and spends time getting to know you and your health concerns.

During your evaluation, your doctor reviews your symptoms, medical and gynecological history, and family history. Your in-office evaluation may also include:

Anal ultrasound

During an anal ultrasound, your doctor at The Women's Center uses a special ultrasound device that produces images of your sphincter muscle. 

Anal manometry

Anal manometry testing is most often performed in a hospital. However, the team at The Women's Center can perform this test in their office.

During anal manometry, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube into your anus and rectum and expands the balloon at the tip of the tube. The test measures anal sphincter tightness and rectal sensitivity. 

How is fecal incontinence treated?

The experienced urogynecological team at The Women's Center offers many treatment options for fecal incontinence. 

These options include:

• Diet counseling
• Injectable bulking agents
• Interstim nerve stimulator
• Surgical repair of muscles

The team takes the time to talk to you about your diagnosis and treatment options. They then work closely with you to help you decide what treatments make the best choice for you. 

Fecal incontinence affects many aspects of your life, but you can get back to living with the right treatment. Call The Women's Center, PC, or request an appointment online today.