There are several reasons you may notice bowel leakage – also called fecal incontinence – but it’s not a problem you need to tackle alone. We have a dedicated team of specialists who can help and support you as you take control of your bowel health and reclaim your life.
Accidental bowel leakage can happen when you have trouble controlling your bowels. This can be caused by:
- Damage to the sphincter (control) muscles from an injury during childbirth or as a result of surgery to treat hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, or anal fissures.
- Nerve damage caused by some medical conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis, childbirth or chronic straining when you go to the bathroom.
- The rectum’s inability to stretch due to medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, surgery or treatment for prostate or cervical cancer.
- Chronic diarrhea. Loose stool is harder to hold.
- Pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse, which can cause the bladder and rectum to sag.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of accidental bowel leakage can include:
- Difficulty controlling gas.
- Needing to rush to the bathroom when you need to move your bowels.
- Stool leakage or accidents when exercising.
- Having a stool accident without warning.
To diagnose accidental bowel leakage, our multidisciplinary team of specialists will conduct a complete physical evaluation to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan personalized to your specific needs.
Treatment
Treating accidental bowel leakage is key to restoring your quality of life and allow you to return to the activities you enjoy. We have several approaches, such as:
- Medication.
- Pelvic floor rehab to strengthen your muscles.
- Bowel training to improve the predictability of bowel movements.
- Sacral neuromodulation. This minimally invasive procedure involves implanting a small device called a neurostimulator near the sacral nerves in the lower back. The device can send mild electrical impulses to the nerves to block signals causing leakage. Patients must be eligible for this procedure.
Our team also offers emotional support throughout what we know can be a challenging journey.