Bowel Incontinence and the Pelvic Floor – How the Kegel8 Ultra 20 Can Help

The bowel is the lower part of the digestive system. Its job is to absorb nutrients and fluids before waste leaves the body. This process relies on the smooth coordination of bowel muscles, pelvic floor support, and sphincter control.

When everything works well, the pelvic floor muscles (including the levator ani and puborectalis) support the rectum and anal canal. These muscles contract and relax to keep waste in until you’re ready to go, then release at the right moment to allow for smooth bowel movements.

But if the pelvic floor is weak or damaged, or the sphincters don’t work as they should, the system breaks down. This can lead to bowel incontinence (also known as anal incontinence) – when stool or gas escapes involuntarily. It’s more common than people think, yet often hidden due to embarrassment. In fact, studies suggest that far more people live with bowel leaks than ever seek help, despite the huge impact on quality of life.

Symptoms can include:

• Involuntary leaks of stool or wind

• A constant urgency to open your bowels

• Difficulty controlling bowel movements when exercising, coughing, or lifting

• Anxiety and social isolation caused by the fear of accidents

Although bowel incontinence is rarely life-threatening, it can feel devastating. Left untreated, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and loss of confidence.

How Kegel8 Can Help

The good news is that many cases of bowel incontinence can be improved by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. The Kegel8 Ultra 20 Electronic Pelvic Toner is a medical device designed to do exactly that.

By sending gentle electrical impulses directly to the pelvic floor, it:

• Re-trains weak pelvic floor muscles to contract effectively

• Strengthens the anal sphincter muscles for better control

• Reduces urgency and accidents caused by weak support

• Restores confidence in daily life and intimacy

Many people find that within 12 weeks of regular use, they notice fewer leaks, improved control, and greater strength. Combined with lifestyle changes such as healthy bowel habits and GP support, Kegel8 offers a real, non-invasive solution for bowel incontinence.

Types of Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence can be diagnosed even more specifically by the matter that leaks:

• Faecal Bowel Incontinence - Inability to control leakage of faeces (stool) and gas. Kegel8 can help.
• Flatus Bowel Incontinence - Inability to control the leakage of gas or wind. Kegel8 can help!
• Double Incontinence - Due to both bladder and bowel incontinence having many of the same causes, you can also experience double incontinence (also known as combined incontinence), where urine, stool and gas can involuntarily leak. Kegel8 can help you regain control.

Want to learn more? Download your free Kegel8 eBook.

Download your free Kegel8 eBook written by Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist - Amanda Savage to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for bowel incontinence. Discover how pelvic floor exercises and simple lifestyle changes can help you regain control and confidence.

Sources

• NHS (2024). Bowel Incontinence. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence/ [Viewed 19/11/2024].

• Age UK (2024). Bowel Problems. [online] Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/bowel-problems/ [Viewed 19/11/2024].

• NICE (2019). Faecal Incontinence in Adults: Management (Clinical Guideline CG49). [online] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg49 [Viewed 19/11/2024].

• International Continence Society (2023). Faecal Incontinence. [online] ICS. Available at: https://www.ics.org [Viewed 19/11/2024].

• Mayo Clinic (2023). Fecal Incontinence. [online] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence [Viewed 19/11/2024].

• Carter, D. (2014). Conservative treatment for anal incontinence. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(2), pp.85-91. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4020129/ [Viewed 19/11/2024].

Further Reading

If you’d like to learn more about bowel incontinence and pelvic floor health, these trusted resources can help:

• NHS – Bowel Incontinence: Symptoms, causes, and treatments explained clearly.
  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence/

• Age UK – Bowel Problems: Practical advice for managing bowel issues in later life.
  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/bowel-problems/

• NICE – Faecal Incontinence in Adults: Clinical guideline on diagnosis and management.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg49

• International Continence Society – Faecal Incontinence: Expert information on pelvic floor dysfunction worldwide.
  https://www.ics.org

• Mayo Clinic – Fecal Incontinence: Causes, risk factors, and self-care tips from US experts.
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence