About faecal incontinence

Faecal incontinence is a very distressing condition that tends to effect the elderly. However, it can affect younger patients and in particular women following difficult obstetric deliveries. Our consultants can diagnose and treat the condition.

Need to know

Symptoms of bowel incontinence

Symptoms may include:

A sudden urge to defecate that you can't control
Soiling yourself without realising you needed to go to the toilet
Passing a piece of faeces when passing wind

These symptoms may affect your daily life and routine, for example going on public transport or socialising. They may happen every day or from time to time.

Diagnosis

Your consultant will investigate the function of the nerves and muscles in your anus to identify the likely causes of your faecal incontinence. This will help them to develop a management plan.

Potential bowel incontinence treatment options

Common treatments include:

lifestyle and dietary changes
exercise programmes to strengthen the muscles in your rectum and anus
medication to control the symptoms of constipation and/or diarrhoea
surgery to treat the known cause treatments can lead to you maintaining normal bowel function throughout your life