Bowel Dysfunction

Bowel symptoms are the least discussed pelvic floor symptoms, however, are often the most bothersome and have a great impact on people’s lives and wellbeing.

Causes of bowel related symptoms are varied but can include bowel disease, poor diet, obstetric anal injury, ageing and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Such as the case with all pelvic floor issues, treatment is tailored to each individual and may include:

• Lifestyle management. This includes basic dietary advice, ways to optimise your morning routine (this is because most people poo in the mornings), and education around exercise to help stimulate the bowels

• Re-learning how to poo. Studies have shown that up to 50% of people who are constipated contract their pelvic floor when they need to relax to allow stool to pass. By learning how to relax your pelvic floor we hope to make emptying your bowels an easier experience

• Learning the best positions to poo. Studies have shown that particular postures during defecating should make it easier to empty

• Pelvic floor muscle training. For those who suffer from incontinence, training your pelvic floor muscles, particularly the sphincters of your back passage can help to improve your control

• Education about why you experience pain during defecation. We can also provide positional advice, stretches and other manual therapy techniques to help ease your discomfort

• Referral to colorectal specialists, nutritionists and dieticians as required

Signs of dysfunction of the pelvic floor that can present as bowel symptoms include:

• Constipation and difficulty emptying bowels.

• Anal incontinence- including with gas or stool

• Pain during or after defecation

• Bowel urgency and urgency incontinence