Fecal incontinence is a difficult condition to face. However, awareness has increased tremendously over the past 10 years. Treatment continues to expand and provide patients and their healthcare provider options specific to their needs. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

Sometimes even small lifestyle changes such as dietary modification or eliminating certain medications (a side effect of certain medications is diarrhea) can be helpful in regaining bowel control. Taking medications or increasing fiber to change the consistency of the stool may provide relief, since a person can usually better control stool when it is firm rather than loose or liquid. The first steps to controlling incontinence are to normalize stool consistency with increased fiber intake, to bulk up stool, and to exercise the pelvic floor. Often, treatment includes both medical and behavioral therapy.

• Lifestyle Modifications — If your fecal incontinence is associated with constipation, then good fluid intake, regular exercise, and regular bowel habits can be helpful. Having a good breakfast with tea or coffee and then routinely going to the bathroom may help get and keep you regular. Alternatively, for some people avoiding caffeine may be helpful.
• Medications — Your provider will review your prescribed and over-the-counter medication to determine if any may cause constipation. If you are constipated, then regular laxative and stool softeners as recommended by your provider will be important. If you have diarrhea, supplements to firm stool can increase bowel control since firmer stool is usually easier to control than liquid stool. None should be taken, however, without recommendation of a healthcare provider.
• Exercise — Pelvic floor muscle exercises and Kegel exercises, when performed regularly and correctly can greatly improve the anal sphincter muscle tone. This often leads to increased bowel control and a reduction or elimination of fecal incontinence episodes within a few weeks. To perform the exercise, contract the muscles of the anus as tightly as possible (as if you are trying to prevent the passage of gas) for a count of five and then relax. Repeat 30 times, three times daily.
• Biofeedback –Biofeedback is a non-invasive technique that converts anal sphincter muscle contractions to a visual meter on a computer screen to help a patient become more aware of their anal sphincter muscles. This technique can be used to teach or supplement exercises.

People who continue to experience fecal incontinence despite other treatments may require surgery to regain control. Surgical options depend on the cause of the incontinence, the severity of the problem, the health and age of the patient, and the clinical judgment of the surgeon.

Management Options