Bowel Incontinence

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 Menopause and Continence Continence Health 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 Bowel Incontinence: Treatment for Bowel Incontinence the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:

“In many cases, with the right treatment, a person can maintain normal bowel function throughout their life. Most people find that their symptoms significantly improve by:

  • Changing their diet
  • Taking a fibre supplement to help have regular, firm poos
  • Strengthening their pelvic floor muscles

Treatment will often depend on what is causing your incontinence and how severe your symptoms are. Other possible options include:

  • Exercise programmes to strengthen the muscles that control the bowel
  • Medications to help you have regular, firm poos
  • Only a small percentage of people need surgery”.8

Helpline

May some Countries have a national continence/incontinence Helpline?

Yes. Your Country may have a Helpline similar to CHA’s National Continence Helpline.

Toilet Maps, Cards or Apps

May some Countries have toilet maps, cards or Apps?

Yes. Your Country may have a toilet map similar to Australia’s National Public Toilet Map which in National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map explain:

“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.

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

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”.11

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. 8 Remedies To Relieve Constipation
  2. About Continence
  3. About Incontinence: About the Bowel – Resources: Your Bowel Diary
  4. About Incontinence: Bowel Incontinence
  5. About Incontinence: Preventing Incontinence?
  6. About Incontinence: What Is Incontinence?
  7. Aboutincontinence.org [About Incontinence, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders]
  8. Bladderandbowel.org  [United Kingdom Bladder and Bowel Community]
  9. Bowel Conditions
  10. Bowel Control
  11. Bowel Control: Symptoms & Types
  12. Bowel Diary: Stool Diary
    Bowel Incontinence
  13. Bowel Health
  14. Bowel Health
  15. Bowel Health: What Is Bowel Incontinence?
  16. Bowel Hub
  17. Bowel Incontinence
  18. Bowel Incontinence
  19. Bowel Incontinence
  20. Bowel Incontinence [+ Video]
  21. Bowel Incontinence: About the Bowel
  22. Bowel Incontinence: Treating Bowel Incontinence
  23. Bowel Incontinence: Treatment
  24. Bowel Problems
  25. Bowel Retraining
  26. Bristol Stool Chart
  27. Bristol Stool Chart
  28. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy [United Kingdom]: Incontinence
  29. Constipation
  30. Constipation
  31. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  32. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Nutrition At Menopause and Why it Is Important
  33. Continence Organisations Worldwide
  34. Continence.org.au [Continence Health Australia]
  35. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
  36. Diarrhoea and Vomiting
  37. Diet & Treatment Overview
  38. Dietary Fiber
  39. FAQs: Accidental Bowel Leakage
  40. Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence
  41. Faecal Incontinence
  42. Faecal Incontinence
  43. Fecal Incontinence
  44. Female Products
  45. Finding A Doctor
  46. Fistula
  47. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  48. GI Disorders: Gastrointestinal (GI) Functional and Motility Disorders
  49. Get To Know Your Bowel
  50. Glossary
  51. Haemorrhoids, Anal Tears & Fissures Treatments
  52. How May Menopause Affect My Bladder & Bowel
  53. Incontinence Conditions From A – Z
  54. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  55. Information on Incontinence In English
  56. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  57. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  58. Kegel Exercises
  59. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  60. Life With Incontinence: Sexuality
  61. Managing Your Condition
  62. Medical Definitions
  63. Menopause
  64. Menopause
  65. Menopause and Bladder and Bowel
  66. Menopause and Continence
  67. Men’s Conditions
  68. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  69. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]: Find A Specialist
  70. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  71. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  72. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – It Is Not Just Incontinence – Common Bladder Problems Around Menopause
  73. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  74. Pelvic Floor Exercises for Men
  75. Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women
  76. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  77. Poor Bowel Control
  78. Products
  79. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  80. RADAR Keys Explained: What Are They, Where Can I Use Them and How Do I Get One? [United Kingdom]
  81. Resources
  82. Resources for Caregivers
  83. Symptoms & Causes
  84. The Digestive System
  85. Tips & Daily Living
  86. Tips on Finding A Doctor
  87. Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  88. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  89. Videos Series: Continence FAQs – Bowel Chart
  90. Video Series: Continence FAQs – FAQ #3: What About Bowel Leakage?
  91. What Could It Be?
  92. What Is IBS? Symptoms and Treatment | NHS
  93. What Is Incontinence?
  94. What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor
    Pelvic Floor Disorders
  95. Women
  96. Women: Menopause – Menopause and Continence
  97. Women: Menopause – Symptoms
  98. Women: Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video: Female Pelvic Floor Muscle – 3D Animation]
  99. World Continence Week 2026 [15-21 June 2026]
    Bowel Incontinence
  100. Your Bowel Diary

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: 17 June 2026
  2. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 17 June 2026
  3. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 17 June 2026
  4. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 17 June 2026
  5. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 17 June 2026
  6. Menopause and Continence. Continence Health of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/about-incontinence/womens-health/menopause-and-incontinence/ Accessed: 17 June 2026
  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: 17 June 2026
  8. Bowel Incontinence: Treatment for Bowel Incontinence. Last Updated: 19 May 2026. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/bowel-incontinence Accessed: 17 June 2026
  9. National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://toiletmap.gov.au/about Accessed: 17 June 2026
  10. Bowel Conditions. Bladder & Bowel Community https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-problems/ Accessed: 17 June 2026
  11. 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: 17 June 2026
Topic Last Updated: 17 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 17 June 2026

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