Bowel Incontinence

The symptoms of bowel incontinence vary from person to person, depending on the type of bowel incontinence you have and how severe it is. 

Symptoms of bowel incontinence may include: 

• leaking poo without being able to stop it

• a sudden, strong need to poo, but not being able to get to the toilet in time

• noticing streaks or stains of poo in your underwear

• leaking poo when you cough, pass gas, or are physically active

Bowel incontinence can have a variety of causes and can be a temporary condition or persist long-term. 

It may be caused by conditions such as diarrhoea or constipation, or occur as a result of damage to the muscles or nerves that control bowel movements. Chronic bowel disease or previous bowel surgery can also play a role. 

Some common causes of bowel incontinence include: 

• diarrhoea or constipation

• haemorrhoids (piles)

• inflammatory bowel disease

• inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) 

• bowel tumours 

• damage to the muscles or nerves during childbirth

• previous bowel surgery 

• rectal prolapse

• spinal cord injuries or disease 

• birth defects

• dementia

At your first Welbeck consultation, you’ll be seen by a consultant gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll also perform a physical examination. 

Your doctor may refer you for tests to check how well your rectum and anus are working and try to establish the cause of your bowel incontinence. 

These may include: 

• endoscopy – a procedure to examine the inside of your rectum using a long, thin flexible tube with a light and a camera 

• anal manometry – uses a small probe which is passed into the anus to assess the muscles and nerves in and around your rectum

• anal ultrasound – uses an ultrasound probe to check for damage to the sphincter muscles

• defecating MRI proctogram – water-soluble X-ray dye is placed into your rectum. You’ll be asked to pass stools in the usual way while scans are taken

Depending on the cause, it isn’t always possible to prevent bowel incontinence, but you may be able to reduce your risk of episodes of incontinence by: 

• avoiding known triggers like spicy food, alcohol, and caffeine

• establishing regular bowel habits

• performing pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your muscles

Though unpleasant and at times embarrassing, bowel incontinence is often manageable and not usually dangerous. However, in some cases, untreated bowel incontinence can lead to complications such as: 

• skin irritation and infection 

• urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• emotional distress due to embarrassment and loss of dignity, which can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression

• nutritional deficiencies (in severe cases) 

There are several treatment options available for bowel incontinence, including nonsurgical measures and surgery. 

Your consultant will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you depending on the severity of your condition and other factors such as your age, general health and any treatments you’ve tried previously. 

Non-surgical treatments are normally tried first, and surgery is usually only considered when other methods haven't worked to relieve your symptoms. 

Treatment for bowel incontinence may include: 

• dietary changes – your consultant may refer you to a dietitian or suggest some changes to your diet to help manage your bowel incontinence 

• medication – taking anti-diarrhoea medicine, such as Imodium, can help in some cases

• pelvic floor exercises – exercises to strengthen the muscles around your rectum and anus can improve bowel control

• anal plugs – are devices inserted into your rectum to help prevent leakage

• bowel training – involves establishing a routine for regular bowel movements

• surgery – this may include muscle repair or reconstruction, sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), or artificial sphincter implantation

At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.