Bowel Incontinence

“Bowel incontinence occurs when the loss of control of gas,
liquid stool, or solid stool is enough to cause discomfort
or distress. Incontinence is a sign that…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Bowel Incontinence Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Accidental Bowel Leakage
  • Anal Incontinence
  • Bowel Continence
  • Bowel Control Problems
  • Bowel Incontinence
  • Faecal/Fecal Incontinence
  • Incontinence (Bowel/Faecal/Fecal)
  • Poor Bowel Control

Incontinence

What is incontinence?

DotS the definition of incontinence may vary. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder’s (IFFGD) definition is:

““Incontinence” is the word used to describe loss of control over when and where we go to the bathroom”.2

Bowel Incontinence

What is bowel incontinence?

DotS the definition of bowel incontinence may vary. The IFFGD’s definition is:

“Bowel incontinence occurs when the loss of control of gas, liquid stool, or solid stool is enough to cause discomfort or distress. Incontinence is a sign that something is wrong – some part of the bowel control system is not working as it should”.3

Fecal Incontinence

What is fecal incontinence?

DotS the definition of fecal incontinence may vary. In Fecal Incontinence: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definitions is explain:

“Fecal incontinence is accidental passing of solid or liquid stool. Fecal incontinence may happen when a person has a sudden urge to pass stool and cannot get to a toilet in time. Also, stool may leak when a person doesn’t sense the need to pass stool”.4

Cause

What are common causes of fecal incontinence?

In Fecal Incontinence: Overview the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. Fecal incontinence can affect a person’s ability to work, socialize or do typical daily activities. It often causes embarrassment or emotional stress”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between bowel incontinence and menopause?

In Women: Menopause the Continence Foundation of Australia note:

“Menopause is a time of change in a woman’s life. One of the changes that many women notice is increased difficulty with bladder and bowel control”.6

Care Strategies

What are some bowel incontinence care strategies?

In Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence): Living With – How Do I Care for Myself? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Caring for your mental health (and prioritizing your social life) is as important as caring for your physical health. To cope:

  • Wear a pad or disposable undergarment if you’re concerned you may have leakage
  • Take nonprescription pills called flatulence medication (fecal deodorants) that can weaken the smell of poop and gas
  • Make the toilet your last stop before you leave to go out and socialize, so your bowels are empty
  • Bring extras with you, like supplies to freshen up or a change of clothes, just in case something happens
  • Scout out the bathroom first thing when you arrive at a destination so you’re not scrambling to find the toilet at the moment when you need it fast”.7

Treatment

What is it important to remember about treatment for bowel incontinence?

In Seeking Advice and Treatment the (Scottish) NHS Inform elaborate on:

“It’s important to remember that:

  • Bowel incontinence isn’t something to be ashamed of – it’s simply a medical problem that’s no different from diabetes or asthma
  • It can be treated – there’s a wide range of successful treatments
  • Bowel incontinence isn’t a normal part of ageing
  • It won’t usually go away on its own – most people need treatment for the condition”.8

Helpline

May some Countries have a national continence/incontinence Helpline?

Yes. Your Country may have a Helpline similar to the Continence Foundation of Australia’s Continence Helpline.

Toilet Maps, Cards, Apps or Key

May some Countries have toilet maps, cards, Apps or Key?

Your Country may have a toilet map similar to Australia’s National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map:

“The National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 23,000 public and private public facilities across Australia, including toilets, adult change and baby care. Information is provided about each toilet, such as location, accessibility details, opening hours and features like sharps disposal and showers”.9

Or your Country may have a card or App similar to the (United Kingdom) Bladder & Bowel Community’s (B&B) FREE Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card.

Or your Country may have a Key similar to the (United Kingdom) RADAR Keys Explained: What Are They, Where Can I Use Them and How Do I Get One?

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have bowel incontinence?

If you think you have bowel incontinence, it may be in your best interest to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Bowel Conditions the B&B explain:

“The first and most important point to remember is that everyone with a bowel problem can be helped and many can be completely cured”.10

The Continence Foundation of Australia encourage us to seek help and explain:

“You should not ignore these problems because without help, they rarely go away and usually get worse over time”.11

In Bowel Incontinence: Overview – When To Get Medical Advice the (United Kingdom) NHS also note:

“See a GP if:

  • You thing you have bowel incontinence
  • You have any changes in your poo that are not getting better, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you.

Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor will be used to talking about these symptoms”.12

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Bowel Incontinence?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Bowel Incontinence?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Aboutincontinence.org [About Incontinence, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders]
  2. About Continence: Understanding Incontinence – What Is Incontinence?
  3. Aboutincontinence.org [International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders]
  4. Accidental Bowel Leakage
  5. Bladder and Bowel Health
  6. Bladderandbowel.org  [United Kingdom Bladder and Bowel Community]
  7. Bowel Control
  8. Bowel Control: Symptoms & Types
  9. Bowel Diary
    Bowel Incontinence
  10. Bowel Diary: Stool Diary
    Bowel Incontinence
  11. Bowel Health
  12. Bowel Incontinence
  13. Bowel Incontinence
  14. Bowel Incontinence
  15. Bowel Incontinence [+ Video]
  16. Bowel Incontinence: Treating Bowel Incontinence
  17. Bowel Incontinence: Treatment
  18. Bowel Problems, Conditions & Symptoms
  19. Bowel Retraining
  20. Bristol Stool Chart
  21. Bristol Stool Form Scale
  22. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: Incontinence
  23. Constipation
  24. Constipation
  25. Constipation
  26. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  27. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Nutrition At Menopause and Why it Is Important
  28. Continence Health: Bowel
  29. Continence Organisations Worldwide
  30. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  31. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
  32. Diarrhoea and Vomiting
  33. Diet & Treatments
  34. Dietary Fiber
  35. Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence
  36. Faecal Incontinence
  37. Fecal Incontinence
  38. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment
  39. Fecal Incontinence: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
  40. Female Products
  41. Finding A Doctor
  42. Fistula
  43. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  44. GI Disorders: Gastrointestinal (GI) Functional and Motility Disorders
  45. Get To Know Your Bowel
  46. Glossary
  47. Healthy Living
  48. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Incontinence
  49. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  50. Incontinence Conditions From A – Z
  51. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  52. Information on Incontinence In English
  53. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  54. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  55. Kegel Exercises
  56. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  57. Life With Incontinence: Sexuality
  58. Managing Your Condition
  59. Medical Definitions
  60. Menopause
  61. Menopause
  62. Men’s Conditions
  63. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  64. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]: Find A Specialist
  65. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  66. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  67. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  68. Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
  69. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  70. Products
  71. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  72. RADAR Keys Explained: What Are They, Where Can I Use Them and How Do I Get One? [United Kingdom]
  73. Resources
  74. Resources for Caregivers
  75. Symptoms & Causes
  76. Symptoms of Incontinence [Bowel Incontinence]
  77. The Digestive System
  78. Tips & Daily Living
  79. Tips on Finding A Doctor
  80. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  81. Videos Series: Continence FAQs – Bowel Chart
    Bowel Incontinence
  82. Video Series: Continence FAQs – FAQ #3: What About Bowel Leakage?
  83. What Could It Be?
  84. What Is Incontinence?
  85. Women
  86. Women: Menopause – Menopause and Continence
  87. Women: Menopause – Symptoms
  88. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video: Female Pelvic Floor Muscle – 3D Animation]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 30 April 2025
  2. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 30 April 2025
  3. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 30 April 2025
  4. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 30 April 2025
  5. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 30 April 2025
  6. Women: Menopause. Last Updated: 29 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 30 April 2025
  7. Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence): Living With – How Do I Care for Myself? Last Reviewed: 10 October 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 30 April 2025
  8. Seeking Advice and Treatment. Last Updated: 29 May 2023. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/bowel-incontinence Accessed: 30 April 2025
  9. National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://toiletmap.gov.au/about Accessed: 30 April 2025
  10. Bowel Conditions. Bladder & Bowel Community https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-problems/ Accessed: 30 April 2025
  11. Women: Menopause – Symptoms. Last Updated: 29 May 2024. Last Reviewed: 01 April 2020. Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/who-it-affects/women/menopause Accessed: 30 April 2025
  12. Bowel Incontinence: Overview – When To Get Medical Advice. Page Last Reviewed: 15 August 2024. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence/#when-to-get-medical-advice Accessed: 30 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 30 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 April 2025

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