Bowel dysfunction refers to the inability to control bowel movements, including problems with the frequency and consistency of bowel movements. These symptom can be a source of upset and embarrassment, as well as discomfort.

What is Normal?

  • having a poo as often as 3 times a day to 3 times a week
  • poo should be moist and well formed (not too hard and lumpy and not too soft and mushy)
  • It should be easy to pass without straining or pain
  • you should feel empty afterwards

Loss of bowel control

This may show in a variety of ways:

  • Leakage of stool: symptoms involve staining in pants or leakage on way to toilet
  • Leakage of mucus: passive leakage in pants without noticing
  • Inability to control flatus: flatus escapes easily with movement
  • Urgency of stool: having to run to toilet as soon as you feel the urge and sometimes without making it in time
  • Difficulty cleaning: having to go back and wipe repeatedly

 

Further Defecation Disorders

Chronic Constipation

Symptoms can be:

  • You have to strain a lot to poo 
  • Your poos are hard and lumpy
  • You feel unfinished after having a poo
  • You feel bloated, stomach pain and discomfort
  • Your poo less often than is usual for you

In some cases:

  • You may have a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, decreased appetite, lethargy.
  • Passing foul smelling wind
  • Leaking of liquid or loose stools. When large stools get stuck and block the bowel, liquid stool can pass the blockage.

Causes of constipation

  • Not drinking enough fluid
  • Not eating enough fibre
  • Putting off going to the toilet
  • Not moving enough and spending long periods of time sitting or lying in bed
  • Not exercising
  • A side effect of medication
  • Changing your daily routine or diet
  • Some neurological problems such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis

 

 


Anismus

  • Excessive tension in the sphincter muscle

 

Obstructive Defecation

  • Difficult emptying the bowel, which may or may not be associated with constipation.

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 


 

Self Help Tips

  • Ensure you drink plenty of fluid to avoid constipation (1.5 - 2 litres of fluid)
  • Caffeine, fizzy drinks and sweeteners may irritate your bowel making you more loose
  • Don’t ignore the need to empty your bowel
  • When you need to go to the toilet, try not to panic and rush to get there
  • Sitting position on the toilet is really helpful

Bowel emptying position Galen copyright

  • Ideally knees should be higher that hips
  • Lean forward with a straight back
  • Avoid straining
  • Do not hold your breath, try to breath out as you let go
  • Using a clean hand, supporting underneath (on your perineum) or use a finger or thumb against the back wall of the vagina, can be helpful to fully emptying your back passage
  • Train your Pelvic floor muscles and get them working when you feel the urge
  • Elasticated waist bands are easier to manage in a hurry

Specialist Pelvic Health Team Contact Details

North Staffordshire team

Ryecroft Health Centre
Broad Street,
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ST5 2BQ

Telephone: 0300 123 0901

Email: spht@mpft.nhs.uk

South Staffordshire team

Salters Meadow Health Centre
Rugeley Road
Burntwood
WS7 1AQ

Telephone: 0300 123 0901

Email: spht@mpft.nhs.uk