Fecal incontinence

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice Screening and diagnosis

Complications Treatment Prevention Self-care Coping skills

Introduction

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from your rectum. Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence can range from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control.

Common causes of fecal incontinence include constipation, diarrhea, and muscle or nerve damage. The condition may be due to a weakened anal sphincter associated with aging. Fecal incontinence can also occur as a result of childbirth. Injury to the nerves and muscles of the rectum and anus while giving birth can cause a woman to lose control of her bowel movements.

Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be embarrassing. It may cause you to stay at home and withdraw from social events because you're afraid of an accident. But, you're hardly alone. Fecal incontinence is a common condition — more common in older people and in women.

Although bringing up the subject of fecal incontinence with your doctor may be difficult, don't shy away from talking to your doctor. Many treatments — some of them simple — are available that can improve, if not correct, fecal incontinence.

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Signs and symptoms