The Effects of the Unmentionable

Incontinence can significantly diminish the quality of women’s lives

Dee Fenner Photo: Scott Galvin

It’s discussed so infrequently that it may seem it isn’t much of a problem. But a U-M survey of 6,000 U.S. women found that 7.2 percent of them, especially older women, had regular episodes of fecal incontinence.

Many women in the study who had fecal incontinence also had another medical condition, such as major depression or diabetes, and often also experienced urinary incontinence, according to Dee E. Fenner, M.D. (Residency 1989), associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Medical School.

The impact of incontinence on the quality of life was significant, says Fenner, who directed the study. “Half of the women with fecal incontinence reported that bowel symptoms had a large impact on their quality of life.”

Treatments are available to help women manage this condition, says Fenner, but physicians need to take an active role and ask their patients about it. While it is most often present in elderly women, it should not be considered a normal part of aging.

—Katie Gazella

For an expanded version of the story:
www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2006/fecal.htm

For patient information on the Michigan Bowel Control Program:
www.med.umich.edu/bowelcontrol