In this Article

• Introduction to bowel incontinence
• What causes bowel incontinence?
• What can I do if I have bowel incontinence?
• How is bowel incontinence diagnosed?
• How is bowel incontinence treated?
• What surgical procedures are used to treat bowel incontinence?
• Can bowel incontinence be prevented?
• Fecal Incontinence Glossary
• Fecal Incontinence Index

Can Bowel Incontinence Be Prevented?

Since bowel incontinence in women is often caused by anal muscle or nerve damage that occurred during childbirth, prevention is not always possible. However, if the use of forceps can be avoided during childbirth, the period of labor not prolonged and the baby not delivered too rapidly, injury to the pelvic muscles and nerves can be avoided.

Also, chronic constipation may result in incontinence. Getting sufficient water, fiber, and exercise can be effective in treating constipation.

SOURCE:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Food and Drug Administration.

Reviewed by Venkat Mohan, MD on September 13, 2008

Portions of this page © Cleveland Clinic 2008

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