Fecal Incontinence: a woman's view.

Abstract

Fecal incontinence (FI) has a prevalence of 2-7% in the general community and increases substantially in hospitalized patients and nursing home residents. Incontinent patients often isolate themselves from society for fear of having an incontinent episode in public. Few of these patients ever discuss this ailment with their doctor, despite a significant increase in depression and anxiety. Women have gender-specific medical and surgical conditions that predispose them to FI such as pregnancy, scleroderma, MS, IBS, childbirth, and pelvic surgeries. This article will address multiple facets of FI, but will focus specifically on issues related to women.