Bowel Incontinence: The Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
Bowel Incontinence: The Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
If you're reading this, chances are something has changed — and you want to understand what it means. Bowel incontinence is far more common than people realise, and it is not something you simply have to accept. Knowing the red flags is the first step to getting the right support, making the right changes, and taking back control.
At Kegel8, we believe in talking honestly about the things that matter. Bowel incontinence — losing control of your bowel, whether that means leaking wind, liquid, or solid stool — affects millions of people across the UK. It can feel isolating and deeply embarrassing, but it is a medical condition with real, proven solutions. And the sooner you act, the better the outcome.
If you already experience bladder leaks — stress incontinence, urgency, or frequent trips to the loo — you have a higher risk of bowel symptoms developing too. The pelvic floor supports both the bladder and bowel, so weakness in one area often affects the other. The good news? Strengthening your pelvic floor helps both.
The red flags: symptoms that need your attention
A "red flag" in bowel health doesn't always mean something sinister — but it does mean something worth investigating. These are the signs that your body is telling you that your pelvic floor and bowel need support.
Urgency incontinence — a sudden, desperate need to go that you cannot always control. This is one of the most common red flags.
Flatus (wind) incontinence is often the first sign of weakened anal sphincter control and a warning that more significant leakage may follow.
Leaking liquid stool is a clear signal that the bowel's closing mechanism is not working as it should. Never ignore this symptom.
Finding staining in underwear — even without a clear episode of leakage — suggests poor sphincter tone or incomplete emptying.
Little or no warning before needing to go — this is a hallmark of bowel urgency and is closely linked to pelvic floor dysfunction.
The yo-yo pattern of hard, difficult stools followed by loose urgency is a key warning sign and a major contributor to leakage — see below.
Birth-related pelvic floor injury — including sphincter tears — can cause bowel incontinence that appears or worsens months or years later.
Pelvic organ prolapse — a descent of the bladder, uterus, or bowel — can directly affect bowel control and emptying. See more below.
Rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a persistent change in bowel habit lasting more than three weeks, or pain that does not resolve. These symptoms need investigation by your GP and may be unrelated to pelvic floor dysfunction. Always get them checked.
How prolapse affects your bowel
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and connective tissue supporting the pelvic organs weaken — often after childbirth, surgery, or as part of the ageing process. When organs descend, they can press against the vaginal or rectal wall and directly disrupt bowel function.
Rectocele — bowel bulge
A rectocele occurs when the back wall of the vagina weakens and the rectum bulges forward into the vaginal space, it is also known as a 'back wall prolapse'. This can make it difficult to empty the bowel fully, leading to straining, a sense of incomplete emptying, and the need to press on the vaginal wall to help pass a stool. Many women with a rectocele also experience constipation and the yo-yo pattern described below.
Rectal prolapse
In rectal prolapse, part of the rectum slides out through the anus. This directly affects the sphincter mechanism and is a significant cause of bowel leakage, urgency, and difficulty controlling wind and stool. If you notice tissue protruding from the anus, see your GP promptly.
Enterocele — small bowel prolapse
An enterocele occurs when a loop of small bowel drops into the space between the rectum and vagina. This type of prolapse is less commonly discussed but can contribute to a feeling of pressure, incomplete bowel emptying, and discomfort during or after bowel movements.
All types of pelvic organ prolapse are linked to weakened pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening the pelvic floor doesn't just support the bladder — it actively supports the bowel, reduces the strain on prolapsed tissue, and can significantly improve bowel symptoms. Starting pelvic floor rehabilitation is one of the most proactive things you can do.
The constipation yo-yo: a hidden cause of accidents
Constipation is one of the most overlooked contributors to bowel incontinence — and the relationship between the two is a vicious cycle that many people don't realise they are caught in.
When stool remains in the rectum for too long and becomes hard and impacted, liquid from higher in the bowel can seep around it and leak out — often without warning. This is called overflow incontinence, and it is frequently misread as diarrhoea. At the same time, straining to pass hard stool puts enormous pressure on the pelvic floor and sphincter, progressively weakening both.
Days of constipation → straining and pressure on the pelvic floor → possible overflow leakage → then an urgent loose episode → temporary relief → constipation returns. If this sounds familiar, the solution is not just managing one end of the cycle — it is addressing both the constipation and the pelvic floor weakness driving it.
Toilet position matters more than you think
The natural position for emptying the bowel is a squat — not sitting upright on a standard toilet. A raised toilet seat actually kinks the anorectal angle, making full emptying harder and increasing straining. Using a Go Better Toilet Stool raises your feet and reproduces the natural squat angle, reducing the effort needed to empty and putting far less strain on your pelvic floor. It is a remarkably simple change that many people find transformative.
- Aim for 6–8 glasses of water daily to keep stool soft
- Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods — but increase gradually to avoid bloating
- Use a toilet stool to improve your emptying position
- Never ignore the urge to go — delaying strains the bowel
- Avoid straining — take your time and let the stool come naturally
- Strengthen your pelvic floor to support the bowel's closing mechanism
How Kegel8 can help
The pelvic floor is the foundation of bowel control. When these muscles are weak, the sphincter loses support and the mechanisms that keep you continent — holding wind, delaying the urge, preventing leakage — become unreliable. Targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation is the most evidence-based, non-surgical approach available, and it works.
Kegel8 Ultra 20 V2
The UK's best-selling pelvic floor exerciser. Clinically designed programmes target the fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles of the pelvic floor and sphincter — including the dedicated bowel incontinence programme.
Shop Ultra 20 V2Kegel8 V for Men
Bowel incontinence affects men too — particularly after prostate surgery, or with age. The Kegel8 V for Men delivers targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation with programmes designed specifically for male anatomy.
Shop V for Men12-Week Bowel Programme
Specialist physiotherapist Amanda Savage has created a free, structured 12-week exercise plan specifically for bowel incontinence — walking you through every step of your rehabilitation.
Download free planGo Better Toilet Stool
Reduce straining, improve complete emptying, and protect your pelvic floor every single day. Small change, significant difference — especially if constipation is part of your picture.
Shop toilet stoolsManaging flatus incontinence: don't let wind hold you back
Passing wind accidentally — particularly in public, at work, or in social situations — is one of the most distressing aspects of pelvic floor weakness. It is also one of the earliest warning signs that your pelvic floor needs support. While you work on strengthening, you don't have to put your life on hold.
Shreddies flatulence-filtering underwear is made right here in the UK using a patented, activated carbon back panel that neutralises odour from flatulence. If you are experiencing dry wind leakage — no liquid or solid component — Shreddies can give you genuine confidence and discretion while you work on the underlying cause. They look and feel like normal underwear and are available in a full range of styles for both women and men.
If your symptoms include liquid stool leakage alongside wind, specialist anal incontinence pads will give you the protection you need. We don't sell these at Kegel8, but we strongly champion them — look for products specifically designed for faecal incontinence, as ordinary period or bladder pads are not designed to contain liquid stool effectively. Your GP, stoma nurse, or continence advisor can recommend the right product for your level of leakage.
Protecting your skin: an often overlooked priority
Frequent wiping, over-wiping, diarrhoea, and urgency episodes can cause significant skin irritation, soreness, and breakdown in the perineal area. This is not a vanity issue — broken skin is uncomfortable, can become infected, and can make managing incontinence even harder.
Our all-natural Miracle Balm is formulated to soothe, protect, and repair delicate skin affected by repeated wiping, diarrhoea, and leakage. Apply after washing and drying the area to create a protective barrier and support skin recovery. Small, practical, and something many of our customers wish they had found sooner.
Why being proactive now matters
Pelvic floor weakness tends to progress — slowly, and often quietly — until it reaches a tipping point. The earlier you begin rehabilitation, the faster you see results, and the less likely you are to reach that tipping point. Many people wish they had started sooner.
- Pelvic floor exercises have strong clinical evidence behind them for both bladder and bowel incontinence
- Electronic pelvic floor stimulation — as used in Kegel8 devices — is proven to retrain the muscles more effectively than manual exercise alone
- The pelvic floor responds well to consistent rehabilitation at any age — it is never too late to start
- Addressing weakness now significantly reduces the risk of prolapse worsening and symptoms progressing
- Many people achieve significant or complete resolution of symptoms within 12 weeks of consistent exercise
Ready to take back control?
Whether you are managing early symptoms or working through something more established, there is a clear path forward. Start with the right device, follow a structured programme, and give your pelvic floor the attention it deserves.
Shop Ultra 20 V2 — for women → Shop V for Men → Download free 12-week plan →Common questions
Is bowel incontinence the same as diarrhoea?
Not necessarily. Bowel incontinence refers to the inability to control when you pass stool or wind — the stool itself may be loose, solid, or liquid. What looks like diarrhoea can sometimes be overflow incontinence from constipation. If you are unsure, speak to your GP or continence advisor.
I've had bladder leaks for years. Does that mean bowel leaks are inevitable?
Not at all — but it does mean your pelvic floor needs support, and that now is the time to act. Around 1 in 10 people with bladder symptoms will go on to experience bowel symptoms if the underlying weakness is not addressed. Starting pelvic floor rehabilitation now significantly reduces that risk.
Can men use Kegel8 devices for bowel incontinence?
Yes — the Kegel8 V for Men is specifically designed for male anatomy and includes programmes that target the muscles supporting the bowel and sphincter. Bowel incontinence in men is often under-discussed but very treatable, particularly after prostate surgery or with age-related pelvic floor changes.
Will strengthening my pelvic floor help with prolapse symptoms?
Yes. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a cornerstone of prolapse management. Stronger muscles provide better support for the pelvic organs, can reduce the severity of prolapse symptoms, and may prevent prolapse from progressing. It is often recommended as the first line of treatment before any surgical option is considered.
My symptoms are quite mild — should I still see a doctor?
Yes, particularly if your symptoms are new, changing, or accompanied by any of the red flags listed above (bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent change in bowel habit). For mild symptoms without red flags, starting pelvic floor rehabilitation is an excellent first step — and your GP can refer you to a pelvic health physiotherapist if you need additional support.
Sources & further reading
- Buckley, B.S. and Lapitan, M.C.M. (2010). 'Prevalence of urinary incontinence in men, women, and children — current evidence: findings of the Fourth International Consultation on Incontinence.' Urology, 76(2), pp. 265–270. [Viewed May 2026]. doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2009.11.078
- Norton, C. and Chelvanayagam, S. (eds.) (2004). Bowel Continence Nursing. Beaconsfield Publishers. [Viewed May 2026].
- Bharucha, A.E., Dunivan, G., Goode, P.S. et al. (2015). 'Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and classification of fecal incontinence: state of the science summary for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) workshop.' American Journal of Gastroenterology, 110(1), pp. 127–136. [Viewed May 2026]. doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2014.396
