Fecal incontinence causes unintentional stool leakage and occurs due to weak rectal muscles. This condition affects millions, particularly older adults and people with nerve damage.
Fecal incontinence means you cannot control your bowel movements. This can feel different for everyone. Some people are aware when it happens but cannot control it, while others might not realize it’s occurring.
When you have fecal incontinence, you may not be able to hold in a shart (gas with watery stool), have unexpected stool leakage during the day, or not be able to reach the bathroom in time...To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
You may also notice a strong, sudden urge to have a bowel movement or stool streaks or stains on your underwear.4
Fecal incontinence varies in how often and how severely it occurs. You might have occasional bouts or recurring accidents over time. The condition may also come with diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain, depending on the cause.
Fecal incontinence usually occurs when your rectum and anus cannot hold in stool. This may result from factors like changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, or an underlying condition.
Diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, your stool is loose and watery. Because this type of stool can be sudden, urgent, and more difficult to control, it can lead to fecal incontinence.5 Diarrhea is the most common cause of fecal incontinence in people who are not in a hospital or assisted living facility.
Diarrhea leading to fecal incontinence is sometimes temporary. You might have short-term diarrhea if you get a gastrointestinal (GI) infection or eat something that upsets your stomach.5
If you have a digestive disorder where diarrhea is common, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fecal incontinence may be ongoing.63
When you have fecal incontinence as a result of diarrhea, you may also notice symptoms such as:7
Stomach pain or cramping
Nausea and vomiting
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Constipation
Constipation—having infrequent bowel movements that may be difficult to pass—can be another cause of fecal incontinence.8
Chronic (long-term) constipation can stretch and weaken the rectum muscles, allowing built-up stool to leak out. People with severe constipation may also have overflow diarrhea, causing fecal incontinence.93
Along with fecal incontinence, people with constipation may have:10
Dry or hard stools
Less than three bowel movements per week
Straining while trying to pass a bowel movement
Feeling “blocked up”
Stomach pain or bloating
Constipation is the most common cause of fecal incontinence in children.6
Muscle or Nerve Damage
Your bowel function is controlled by the anal sphincter muscle’s ability to hold in stool, the rectum’s capacity to store stool, and the sensation that alerts you that a bowel movement is coming.11
When the muscles or nerves in your anus, rectum, or pelvic floor are damaged, they cannot function normally. This can prevent them from closing the anus properly, holding stool in the rectum, or signaling that you need to go to the bathroom, which leads to stool leakage.3
This muscle or nerve damage can happen when you have had:63
Surgery or trauma to the anus or rectum
Frequent straining to pass stool
Brain or spinal cord injury
Vaginal childbirth
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Neurological disorders like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and stroke
These muscles may also naturally weaken with age or lack of physical activity.3
Other Health Conditions
Several other conditions can trigger fecal incontinence by interfering with the bowel movement process.
Some of these conditions include:36
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This includes Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC), which can cause rectum scarring or inflammation.
Hemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels in and around the anus can keep the muscles in that area from closing completely and allow stool leakage.
Rectal prolapse: This condition causes the rectum to protrude outside of the anus and prevents the anal muscles from closing properly.
Anal cancer: Fecal incontinence may be a symptom of anal cancer. Radiation therapy to treat anal cancer may also damage the anal tissue, contributing to incontinence.
Certain birth defects that impact the anus, colon, or rectum can also cause fecal incontinence.3
Consider visiting a doctor if you notice any fecal incontinence, especially if it accompanies symptoms like:149
Skin irritation or sores in the anal area
Severe diarrhea
Bloody stool
Steps To Confirm a Diagnosis
A doctor will review your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms. They will also perform a physical exam, particularly on the stomach and rectum.9
A doctor may also order one or more of the following diagnostic tests:115
Imaging tests: An ultrasound, MRI scan, or X-ray can provide a closer look at the muscles around the anus and determine how the rectum and anus perform during a bowel movement.
Colonoscopy: A medical doctor will use a scope tool to view the inside of the colon. This test can help diagnose underlying conditions like IBD and rule out any additional issues that may be occurring, such as polyps or cancer.
Electromyography (EMG): This test evaluates whether the nerves that work with the anal muscles are functioning correctly.
Anorectal manometry: By measuring the pressure and function of the muscles in the anus and rectum, this test can help determine the exact cause of your fecal incontinence.
Treatment for fecal incontinence aims to restore or improve control over your bowel movements.1
A doctor may start with a few treatment options to decrease your chances of having a bowel movement accident.
Data suggests these first-line options can improve symptoms by about 60% and stop fecal incontinence in one in five people:1619
Dietary changes: This may include avoiding foods and drinks that trigger diarrhea or consuming more fiber if constipation is an issue.
Medications: A doctor can recommend anti-diarrheal medications, fiber supplements, or laxatives.
Bowel retraining: This method involves creating habits that familiarize your body with using the bathroom at certain times.
Pelvic floor exercises: These are specific movements to help you strengthen your pelvic floor and anal muscles.
If a doctor determines you have an underlying condition or muscle or nerve damage, they may suggest additional treatment options, including surgical procedures and prescription medication.916
In these cases, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist—a specialist who treats conditions affecting the colon, anus, and rectum—or a colorectal surgeon.1
While fecal incontinence is not always preventable, you may be able to lower your risk of fecal incontinence episodes or accidents.16
Here are a few tips that experts suggest to help prevent these episodes from occurring:16
Be mindful of consuming potentially triggering foods and drinks, such as spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine.
Eat smaller meals more often to help decrease the frequency of bowel movements.
Go to the bathroom at the same time each day to establish a bowel movement pattern.
Manage any conditions (e.g., IBD).
If you are worried about an accident in public, consider bringing wet wipes and a pair of clean underwear with you. You can also try wearing disposable pads or underwear to make cleanup easier.16
Some complications can develop as a result of fecal incontinence. Many people report feeling emotional and mental distress, along with a decreased quality of life. Symptoms of anxiety and depression may occur in social situations out of fear of having an accident.11
It’s also possible to have skin irritation with fecal incontinence. Habits like frequent wiping and cleaning of the affected area and skin exposure to leaked stool can lead to irritation, sores, and possibly a bacterial or yeast infection.17