What is Anal Leakage?

Anal leakage, also referred to as bowel leakage or bowel incontinence, is the loss of normal control of bowel movements. Two types of clinical incontinence exist: urge and passive bowel incontinence.¹

• Passive Incontinence: leakage without notice¹

• Urge Incontinence: Inability to withstand an urge to go to the bathroom¹ 

Learn more about the two types of bowel incontinence

Some things can make anal leakage more likely. Common causes include:

• Poor diet

• Frequent diarrhea or constipation

• Weakening of anal sphincter muscles, i.e. loose sphincter 

• Damage to the rectum or surrounding nerves (e.g., physical trauma or childbirth)

• Damage to the rectal walls (e.g. from a surgery or an injury)

Anal leakage symptoms can be any of the following: 

• Anal leakage after bowel movements

• Having an accident before getting to the bathroom

• Passing stool during normal everyday activities

• Passing fecal matter while passing gas

• Not being able to hold in gas

• Difficulty staying clean

You are not alone

Bowel incontinence is not a normal part of aging- it affects men and women of all ages, races and backgrounds. Clinical symptoms are compounded by negative psychological effects such as diminished self-esteem, social withdrawal, and anxiety². It is a medical condition that can be treated by a doctor- but many people are too ashamed to talk to their doctors about it. 

Find a doctor near you using the helpful search tool on this website, and once you have found a specialist for fecal incontinence, read suggestions and helpful tips about starting the conversation with your doctor.