Bowel Concerns
What Are Bowel Concerns?
Bowel incontinence, also called faecal incontinence, is when someone can’t fully control their bowel movements, and stool or wind leaks unexpectedly. This can range from gas, small dribbles when passing gas to a sudden release of solid stool without warning. A ‘normal’ functioning bowel will produce a soft, easy to pass motion that will vary according to diet and fluid intake and varies from 3 times per day to 3 times a week. Some people may experience urgency, faecal soiling/leakage, leakage of wind or constipation. These symptoms will have different causes and ways of managing them- please see below for more details.
+ Are you passing wind or having any leaks unexpectedly?
- Urge Bowel Incontinence – You may feel a strong, sudden need to go to the toilet but can’t get there in time resulting in an accident. This is the most common kind and often involves weakened muscles around the anus.
- Passive Bowel Incontinence – Stool leaks without any warning or feeling that you need to go. This usually happens when the nerves that signal a full rectum aren’t working properly. These are widespread conditions—studies suggest around 1 in 3 people may experience it, though most don’t talk about it.
Causes include muscle or nerve damage, chronic constipation or diarrhoea, ageing, childbirth, surgery, and certain health conditions like neurological or bowel diseases.
- What can you do to help
- Finding the problem early can really help—talking to your GP is a great first step.
- Treatments often include dietary changes, exercises to strengthen pelvic and anal muscles, bowel training (timed toilet visits), and, in some instances, medication or medical procedures.
- For more information you can attend free community education classes run by Pelvic Health Physiotherapists (see link at the bottom of this page).
+ Are you struggling to open your bowels?
This could be constipation this is when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week, or you find it hard, painful, or incomplete to pass stool.
When stool moves slowly through the colon, too much water gets absorbed, making it hard and dry—and difficult to pass.
Common causes include low fibre intake, not enough fluids, or lack of physical activity, ignoring the urge to go, changes in routine, pregnancy, or ageing, medications (e.g. painkillers, iron, antidepressants), or underlying health issues (like IBS, thyroid problems).
If constipation lasts more than three weeks, causes pain, or you notice blood in your stool, it’s important to see a doctor.
- What you can do to help:
- To help with your symptoms you can eat more fibre: aim for 22–34 g/day from fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
- drink plenty of water
- stay active,
- listen to your body: go when you feel the urge and take your time—sitting with feet on a small stool can help or try a laxative temporarily, but only after speaking to a healthcare professional.
Local Support
NHS Community Healthy Bladder and Bowel Service (SBUHB)
Lots of helpful information, including explanations of different issues and what you can do to help manage these conditions. They are also there to help if you need extra support.
Tel: 01792 532424
SBUHB Pelvic Health Physiotherapy – Self Referral
PLEASE NOTE: This self-referral form is for people experiencing pelvic health concerns such as Bladder or Bowel symptoms, Pelvic organ prolapse, Pelvic pain, or pregnancy-related pain.
This service supports anyone whose pelvic anatomy is typically associated with female anatomy at birth.
SBUHB – Women’s Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Information Sessions
Join us for a free, informative session on pelvic health led by NHS physiotherapists. Held in venues across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.
This session will explore key pelvic health issues that can affect women throughout different stages of life—from adolescence to post-menopause. Whether you’re currently experiencing symptoms or simply want to learn more, our expert physiotherapists will guide you through:
- Common pelvic health concerns
- Self-management strategies
- Where you get more information or further help
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain confidence, and take proactive steps toward improving your pelvic health.
Some Help and Resources
Bladder and Bowel Community
At the Bladder and Bowel Community, they help support millions of people in the UK who are living with conditions that affect their bladder or bowel. Whether you have a condition yourself or are a relative, friend or carer of someone who does then you’ll find support, information, guidance and help you need.
Bladder and Bowel Community – Faecal Incontinence
Faecal incontinence – also known as bowel incontinence – is more common than you would think. Unfortunately, it is a subject which is still not as openly talked about as it should be. Bowel incontinence affects 1 in 10 people in the UK, making it more prevalent than many well-known diseases.
