Question: What is fecal incontinence?
Answer: Fecal incontinence, also called accidental bowel leakage, is the accidental passing of bowel movements—including solid stools, liquid stools, or mucus—from your anus.

The most common type of fecal incontinence is called urge incontinence. When you have urge incontinence, you feel a strong urge to have a bowel movement but cannot stop it before reaching a toilet. If you have urge incontinence, your pelvic floor muscles may be too weak to hold back a bowel movement due to muscle injury or nerve damage.

Another type of fecal incontinence is called passive incontinence. When you have passive incontinence, leakage occurs without you knowing it. If you have passive incontinence, your body may not be able to sense when your rectum is full.

Fecal incontinence can be upsetting and embarrassing. Some people may feel ashamed and try to hide the problem. You may be afraid or embarrassed to talk about fecal incontinence with your doctor. However, talking openly and honestly with your doctor is important in diagnosing and treating your fecal incontinence.
Question: Does fecal incontinence have other names?
Answer: Fecal incontinence is also called

accidental bowel leakage
bowel incontinence
encopresis—a term used mostly for fecal incontinence in children
Question: How common is fecal incontinence?
Answer: Medical experts consider fecal incontinence a common problem, affecting about 1 in 3 people who see a primary health care provider.1

Fecal incontinence is more common in older adults.2
Among adults who are not in hospitals or nursing homes, between 7 and 15 out of 100 have fecal incontinence.1
Among adults who are in hospitals, between 18 and 33 out of 100 have fecal incontinence.3
Among adults who are in nursing homes, between 50 and 70 out of 100 have fecal incontinence.2

Fecal incontinence occurs in about 2 out of 100 children.4
Question: Who is more likely to have fecal incontinence?
Answer: You may be more likely to have fecal incontinence if you

are older than age 65
are not physically active
have certainchronicdiseases, medical conditions, or health problems
have had yourgallbladderremoved
are a current smoker

Children who were born with certain birth defects of the spinal cord, anus, or rectum are more likely to have fecal incontinence. Children who are constipated are also more likely to have fecal incontinence.
Question: What other health problems do people with fecal incontinence have?
Answer: If you have fecal incontinence, you may also have other health problems, including

diarrhea
poor overall health
chronic diseases and disorders such asirritable bowel syndrometype 2 diabetesdiseases that affect the nerves of your anus,pelvic floor, or rectuminflammatory bowel disease
irritable bowel syndrome
type 2 diabetes
diseases that affect the nerves of your anus,pelvic floor, or rectum
inflammatory bowel disease
damage to or weakness of the muscles of your anus, pelvic floor, or rectum
damage to the nerves in your anus, pelvic floor, or rectum
urinary incontinence
proctitis
Question: What problems may fecal incontinence cause?
Answer: The problems that fecal incontinence may cause include

discomfort or irritation of the skin around the anus
emotional and social distress, such as fear, embarrassment, social isolation, loss of self-esteem, anger, ordepression
quality-of-life issues, such as not being able to exercise, work, attend school, or go to social gatherings