What it is
Causes include long-term constipation or diarrhoea, damage to the muscles around the anus during childbirth, nerve damage, and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Diet changes, medicines, pelvic floor exercises and bowel training help many people. Surgery is an option if other treatments do not work.
Common signs
- Leaking stool or wind
- Sudden urges and not reaching the toilet in time
- Soiling of underwear
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions and examination, including a rectal examination
- A bowel diary
- Tests of the anal muscles (manometry) and ultrasound
- Colonoscopy in some cases
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Bowel diaries
- Test reports (manometry, ultrasound, colonoscopy)
- Notes from physiotherapy and specialist visits
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is causing it?
- Which treatments can I try first?
- Are there products that can help day to day?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- New loss of bowel control with back pain or numbness around the bottom: go to an emergency department
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.