Let’s talk about something that probably doesn’t come up at your dinner table: losing control of your bowels.
Maybe you’ve experienced a sudden urge to go to the bathroom and didn’t quite make it in time. Or perhaps you’ve noticed unexpected leakage or difficulty controlling gas. While these aren’t exactly experiences people like to share, they’re more common than you might think.
The good news? Having a bathroom accident doesn’t mean you’re destined to have problems forever. And if bowel control issues are becoming a regular occurrence, there are treatments that can help.
What Is Fecal Incontinence? And Am I the Only One Dealing With It?
Fecal incontinence is the accidental passage of stool when you don’t intend to have a bowel movement. It can range from occasional leakage to a complete loss of bowel control.
For some people, this means experiencing a sudden urge to use the bathroom and not making it in time. For others, stool may leak without them even realizing it. Difficulty controlling gas can also be associated with bowel control problems.
And no, you’re definitely not the only one experiencing this. Fecal incontinence is more common than most people realize, but since it’s not exactly a popular conversation topic, many people don’t know how often it happens.
Does Having a Bathroom Accident Mean I’m Broken Forever?
Absolutely not!
Having one accident doesn’t mean you’re doomed to have bowel control problems for the rest of your life.
People get sick. Their bodies change during recovery from surgery or illness. They push themselves a little too hard during athletic events, and sometimes… things happen.
An occasional accident doesn’t necessarily indicate an ongoing medical problem. However, if you’re regularly experiencing bowel leakage or having trouble controlling when you go, it’s worth talking with your doctor.
What Does My Pelvic Floor Have to Do With It?
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and soft tissues located at the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles help support your bladder, bowel and reproductive organs.
Think of your pelvic floor as a support system that has two important jobs:
Keeping everything in place
Supporting your bladder, bowel and reproductive organs.
Releasing on your terms
Allowing your body to release urine, gas and stool when you actually want it to.
When these muscles aren’t functioning properly, you may experience problems with bowel or bladder control.
And while pelvic health problems are often associated with women, men can experience them, too. Conditions like fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence and rectal prolapse can affect people of any gender.
Can Fecal Incontinence Be Treated?
Yes! And for many patients, symptoms can improve significantly with the right treatment.
There are several types of incontinence, and understanding what’s causing your symptoms is an important first step.
Some people experience leakage when pressure increases in the abdomen, such as during laughing, coughing or jumping. Others have difficulty maintaining control even when they’re resting. Some experience issues with urine, others with gas or stool, and some have a combination of symptoms.
These problems can have different causes, which means treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all.
For most patients experiencing bowel-related pelvic floor problems, we start with a few nonsurgical approaches.
1. Keep a Bathroom Diary
Yes, I’m suggesting you keep a diary about your bathroom habits.
It might sound a little strange, but tracking your symptoms can help identify what’s contributing to your accidents and what makes them better or worse.
Pay attention to when symptoms occur, what you’ve eaten, your bowel habits and whether certain activities seem to trigger problems.
This information can help your doctor determine the best next steps.
2. Give Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy a Try
Many patients benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy, which focuses on improving how the muscles supporting your bowel and bladder function.
One technique, called biofeedback, helps you recognize when your pelvic floor muscles are contracting or relaxing and teaches you how to better control them.
Essentially, we’re helping train your body to do what you want it to do, when you want it to do it.
This requires a specially trained physical therapist. At Duly, our pelvic health physical therapists work with patients experiencing bowel and bladder control problems to help improve muscle function.
3. Develop Better Bathroom Habits
Believe it or not, how you use the bathroom can make a difference.
Both constipation and diarrhea can contribute to bowel control problems. Getting enough fiber and water each day can help keep your bowel movements more regular.
A few other bathroom habits I recommend:
- Don’t spend too much time on the toilet. Try to limit your time to about five minutes.
- Don’t force it. If nothing is happening or you feel like you haven’t completely emptied your bowels, get up and walk around. Come back when your body is ready.
- Pay attention to your bowel habits. Understanding what’s normal for you can help you recognize changes and identify potential triggers.
Tip: set a timer
One of my favorite pieces of advice: if you read or scroll on your phone on the toilet, set a timer! Your bathroom shouldn’t become your second living room.
4. Consider Other Treatment Options When Needed
If changes to your bathroom habits and pelvic floor physical therapy aren’t enough, don’t give up.
Some patients are good candidates for surgical treatment. Many procedures are minimally invasive and may involve relatively little time away from work or school.
The right treatment depends on what’s causing your symptoms. Your doctor can walk you through your options, the expected outcomes and whether surgery makes sense for you.
Even when surgery is recommended, continuing nonsurgical treatments and healthy bowel habits can help improve your results.
When Should I See a Doctor for Bowel Control Problems?
If you’re experiencing repeated bowel accidents, difficulty controlling gas or a noticeable change in your bowel habits, start by talking with your doctor.
Depending on your symptoms, you may benefit from seeing a colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist who specializes in pelvic floor and bowel control problems.
I know these issues can be embarrassing to discuss. But trust me, as a colorectal surgeon, I’ve heard it all. Your doctor would much rather help you find a solution than have you silently struggle with something that may be treatable.
You don’t have to plan your entire day around finding the nearest bathroom or miss out on activities you enjoy because you’re worried about having an accident.
At Duly Health and Care, we can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and find treatment options that work for you.
For bowel-related pelvic floor concerns, schedule an appointment with:
Carly Richards, MD
Colorectal Surgery
Treats fecal incontinence and rectal prolapse.
You don’t have to struggle in silence
Learn how pelvic health physical therapy may help improve bowel control, or schedule with a pelvic health specialist today.
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I like to treat the whole patient. Colorectal disease care can be complex and life changing. I aim to give patients the best care possible while helping them find a way to be their healthiest self.
