Learn More

What is faecal incontinence?

Faecal incontinence is when someone can't control their bowel motions or wind (flatus, farts) from their anus. People with faecal incontinence aren't able to hold on when they feel the need to open their bowels, which means they have to get to the toilet as soon as they feel the urge to go.

This sudden need can be severe or involve minor accidents with 'skid marks' in their underwear. Incontinence can happen occasionally or every day, and can be difficult to clean up after an accident. Many people with faecal incontinence use a continence pad or pants to contain the bowel motions.

It's difficult to know exactly how many people have faecal incontinence, but we estimate it to be about five per cent of Australians. It's more common in older people and people in nursing homes.

Important

People who have a long-term problem with faecal incontinence should see their general practitioner (GP) or other health care professional for further assessment and treatment. Unfortunately, many people find it embarrassing and don't get medical help, which means they miss out on the many available treatments. If you support someone who has a problem with faecal incontinence, you can be supportive and encourage them to ask for help.

What causes faecal incontinence?

 Common causes of faecal incontinence include:

• damage to the muscles or nerves around the anus when having a baby
• congenital - when babies are born with a bowel or anus problem, such as spina bifida
• long-term constipation, which damages the muscles around the anus
• long-term faecal impaction, where backed-up bowel motions cause the rectum to stretch so the person loses feeling in their anus
• prolapse, when the small or large bowel sags through the anus.
• injury to the anus caused by an accident, surgery, radiotherapy treatment or haemorrhoids.
• bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, fistulas or fissures
• conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke and dementia
• some medicines, e.g antibiotics.

Who is at risk of developing faecal incontinence?

• Older people - it's more common in middle-aged and older adults.
• Women - particularly women who have had a baby.
• People with nerve damage caused by conditions such as diabetes, spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.
• People with dementia - it's common in the later-stages of Alzheimer's disease.
• People with limited mobility who may struggle to reach the toilet in time.
• People with physical disabilities, such as arthritis, cerebral palsy, upper limb disabilities, multiple sclerosis or muscular distrophy, who may not be able to take off clothing quickly when needed.

How is faecal incontinence treated?

People with faecal incontinence may need to see their GP or other health care professional for further investigation and treatment. The treatment plan may include:

• diet changes to add more healthy food choices
• medicines and 'bulking agents' to slow down the large bowel and increase water absorption
• pelvic floor muscle exercises to strengthen the sling of muscles that support the bowel
• surgery to repair or tighten the anus if it's damaged
• colostomy surgery.

Need more help? Call the National Continence Helpline on 18OO 33 OO 66 and talk to a continence nurse advisor.

Extra Resources

• Looking after your bowel
• Poor bowel control
• Caring for someone with bladder or bowel problems