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:

Bowel Incontinence“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

Coping

What can doing help cope with bowel incontinence?

In Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence): Treatment of Fecal Incontinence – How Do I Cope With My Fecal Incontinence? the National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explain:

“Doing the following can help you cope with your fecal incontinence:

  • Using the toilet before leaving home
  • Carrying a bag with cleanup supplies and a change of clothes when leaving the house
  • Finding public restrooms before one is needed
  • Wearing absorbent pads inside your underwear
  • Wearing disposable underwear
  • Using fecal deodorants—over-the-counter pills that reduce the smell of stool and gas
  • Taking over-the-counter medicines to help prevent diarrhea before eating in restaurants or at social gatherings”.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. About Incontinence
  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 Problems [Fecal Incontinence]
  9. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Definition & Facts of Fecal Incontinence
  10. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Diagnosis of Fecal Incontinence – How Do Doctors Diagnose Fecal Incontinence? Medical History: Stool Diary
  11. Bowel Control Problems [Fecal Incontinence]: Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Fecal Incontinence – What Should I Avoid Eating If I Have Fecal Incontinence? Keeping A Food Diary
  12. Bowel Control: Symptoms & Types
  13. Bowel Health
  14. Bowel Health
  15. Bowel Incontinence
  16. Bowel Incontinence
  17. Bowel Incontinence
  18. Bowel Incontinence [+ Video]
  19. Bowel Incontinence: Treating Bowel Incontinence
  20. Bowel Incontinence: Treatment
  21. Bowel Problems, Conditions & Symptoms
  22. Bowel Retraining
  23. Bristol Stool Chart
  24. Bristol Stool Form Scale
  25. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: Incontinence
  26. Constipation
  27. Constipation
  28. Constipation
  29. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  30. Continence Health: Bowel
  31. Continence Organisations Worldwide
  32. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  33. Continenceproductadvisor.org [Continence Product Advisor]
  34. Diarrhoea and Vomiting
  35. Diet & Treatments
  36. Dietary Fiber
  37. Fecal Bowel Incontinence
  38. Faecal Incontinence
  39. Fecal Incontinence
  40. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment
  41. Fecal Incontinence: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
  42. Female Products
  43. Finding A Doctor
  44. Fistula
  45. Free Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card
  46. GI Disorders: Gastrointestinal (GI) Functional and Motility Disorders
  47. Glossary
  48. Healthy Living
  49. Incontinence Conditions From A – Z
  50. Incontinence Diaries: Using A Bladder Diary or Bowel Diary
  51. Information on Incontinence In English
  52. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  53. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  54. Kegel Exercises
  55. Life With Incontinence: Continence Products
  56. Life With Incontinence: Sexuality
  57. Managing Your Condition
  58. Medical Definitions
  59. Menopause
  60. Menopause
  61. Men’s Conditions
  62. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]
  63. Nafc.org [National Association for Continence, United States]: Find A Specialist
  64. Nafc.org/diet-and-exercise/ [National Association for Continence, United States]: Diet and Exercise
  65. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Health Information
  66. Other Languages: Incontinence Information In Other Languages
  67. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  68. Products
  69. Products To Treat Adult Incontinence
  70. RADAR Keys Explained: What Are They, Where Can I Use Them and How Do I Get One? [United Kingdom]
  71. Resources
  72. Resources for Caregivers
  73. Symptoms & Causes
  74. Symptoms of Incontinence [Bowel Incontinence]
  75. Talking To Your Doctor
  76. The Digestive System
  77. Tips & Daily Living
  78. Tips on Finding A Doctor
  79. Voices for PFD [Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  80. Videos Series: Continence FAQs – Bowel Chart
    Bowel Incontinence
  81. Video Series: Continence FAQs – FAQ #3: What About Bowel Leakage?
  82. What Could It Be?
  83. What Is Incontinence?
  84. Women
  85. Women: Menopause – Menopause and Continence
  86. Women: Menopause – Symptoms
  87. 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: 27 January 2025
  2. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 27 January 2025
  3. What Is Incontinence? International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://aboutincontinence.org/what-is-incontinence.html Accessed: 27 January 2025
  4. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 27 January 2025
  5. Fecal Incontinence: Overview. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397 Accessed: 27 January 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: 27 January 2025
  7. Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence): Treatment of Fecal Incontinence – How Do I Cope With Fecal Incontinence? July 2017. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/bowel-control-problems-fecal-incontinence/treatment Accessed: 27 January 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: 27 January 2025
  9. National Public Toilet Map: About the Toilet Map. National Continence Program https://toiletmap.gov.au/about Accessed: 27 January 2025
  10. Bowel Conditions. Bladder & Bowel Community https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-problems/ Accessed: 27 January 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: 27 January 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: 27 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 27 January 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 January 2025

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