Bowel leakage, also called faecal incontinence, is more common than most people realise. It can feel embarrassing, isolating, or even make you avoid social activities. But here’s the truth: you’re not alone, and it can be treated.

What Is Bowel Leakage?

Bowel leakage can range from:

Involuntary loss of stool
Small smears on underwear after going to the toilet
Difficulty controlling wind or urgency

👉 It happens to men and women of all ages, but it’s especially common after pelvic surgery, with constipation, or as we get older.

Why Does It Happen?

Several factors can contribute to bowel leakage:

Pelvic floor weakness → the muscles that control continence are too weak to close fully.
Pelvic floor overactivity → tight muscles can prevent the rectum from emptying fully, leading to leaks later.
Nerve changes → after surgery (e.g. prostatectomy), injury, or chronic straining.
Chronic constipation or diarrhoea → both can overload the continence system.
Scarring or trauma → from surgery, fissures, or past injury.

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Helps

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for bowel incontinence. A pelvic health physio can help you:

Strengthen the pelvic floor to improve anal sphincter control
Learn relaxation strategies if overactivity is part of the problem
Use biofeedback or ultrasound to understand how your muscles are working
Improve bowel habits → diet, hydration, and toileting mechanics (avoiding straining)
Address urgency through bladder/bowel retraining techniques

💡 Internal assessment is never mandatory, your comfort and consent come first.

What You Can Do at Home

Use the right toilet posture: feet on a stool, leaning forward, breathing out gently.
Stay hydrated: dehydration makes stool harder and more difficult to control.
Keep stool consistency regular: too hard or too loose increases leaks.
Manage triggers like caffeine, spicy foods, or very fatty meals.

The Emotional Side

Many people with bowel leaks feel ashamed or isolated. But remember: this is a medical condition, not a personal failure. Speaking to a pelvic health physiotherapist is a brave first step, and one that can transform your daily life.

Bowel leakage is common, but it’s not something you have to live with. With pelvic floor physiotherapy, lifestyle strategies, and evidence-based support, you can regain confidence, control, and freedom in your everyday life.

✨ Struggling with bowel leakage? Book a confidential consultation with our pelvic health physiotherapists at Renard Clinic. You don’t have to face this alone.