“Write down what you have for meals, snacks and drinks.
You may discover a pattern between certain foods
and fecal incontinence”.1
Umbrella
What may the Bowel Incontinence Pattern Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Accidental Bowel Leakage (ABL)
- Anal Incontinence
- Bowel Continence
- Bowel Control Problems
- Bowel Incontinence
- Constipation
- Faecal/Fecal Incontinence (FI)
- Incontinence (Fecal/Bowel)
- Poor Bowel Control
Bowel Incontinence
Is there an association between bowel incontinence and certain foods?
In Dietary Tips the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders explain:
For example, meals that are too large or high in fat, fried foods, coffee, caffeine, or alcohol may provoke symptoms of abdominal cramps and diarrhea”.2
Foods and Drinks
What are some foods that can cause diarrhea?
In Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Diet and Lifestyle Changes the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
“Avoiding foods that can cause diarrhea. These include:
- Drinks with caffeine, alcohol or artificial sweeteners
- Fatty foods and dairy products
- Foods with added fructose or naturally high fructose, such as apples, peaches and pears
- Spicy foods”.3
Look for A Pattern
How can I Look for A Pattern with bowel incontinence? 
In Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Diaries the Mayo Clinic note:
- Keeping track of what you eat. What you eat and drink affects the consistency of your stools. Make a list of what you eat for a few days. You may discover a connection between certain foods and your bouts of incontinence. Once you’ve identified problem foods, stop eating them and see if your incontinence improves”.4
In Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Management and Treatment – How Is Fecal Incontinence Treated or Managed? Dietary Changes the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:
For diarrhea, avoid foods that can loosen your stools or make you have to go, including:
- Caffeine, alcohol, some fruit juices and prunes
- Beans and cabbage family vegetables
- Spicy foods and cured or smoked meats
- Artificial sweeteners
- Dairy products”.5
Bowel Diary
Where may I find a bowel diary?
Your Country may have a bowel diary similar to:
Prevention and Management
What is bowel incontinence prevention and management?
In Bowel Health: Prevention and Management of Bowel Incontinence the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:
- Drink water every few hours
- Eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods that contain fibre
- Avoid using sugar-replacement products, which can cause loose, watery poo
- Stay active
- Do regular pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Sit on the toilet for a few minutes about 20 minutes after each meal
- Learn how to use your pelvic floor muscles to hold on until you get to the toilet and relax when you sit on toilet”.6
Health Care Provider
What if I would like help to look for a pattern with bowel incontinence?
In Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Living With – A Note From Cleveland Clinic the Cleveland Clinic encourage us to seek help, explaining:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Bowel Incontinence Pattern?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Bowel Incontinence Pattern?
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
- About Incontinence: About the Bowel – Resources: Your Bowel Diary

- Bowel Diary: Stool Diary

- Bowel Incontinence
- Bowel Incontinence [+ Video]
- Dietary Tips
- Fecal (Bowel Incontinence)
- Fecal Incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes – Keeping Track of What You Eat
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Incontinence
- Pelvic Floor Exercises for Men
- Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women
- The Top 3 Reasons To Use A Bowel Diary When You Have Fecal Incontinence
- Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
- World Continence Week 2026 [15-21 June 2026]

Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Incontinence Treatment: Dietary Tips. International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://www.aboutincontinence.org/site/treatment/dietary-tips Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Diet and Lifestyle Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Management and Treatment – How Is Fecal Incontinence Treated or Managed? Dietary Changes. Last Reviewed: 10 October 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Bowel Health: What Is Bowel Incontinence? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/bowel-health/#section-what-is-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 20 June 2026
- Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Living With – A Note from Cleveland Clinic. Last Reviewed: 10 October 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 20 June 2026

