Let’s be honest, talking about pooping stinks; but, it’s a topic that more people should get more comfortable talking to their healthcare provider about. While changes in your bowel movements could simply be due to changes in your diet or the occasional intestinal bug, it could also be a sign of something more serious. It’s important to your overall health to be mindful of what’s normal or regular for you, prolonged changes may require medical assistance.

Think about… Do you strain or have to push?  Do you experience constipation or difficulty having bowel movements?  Do you experience fecal urgency or fecal leakage? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be experiencing a type of bowel dysfunction. Some causes of bowel dysfunctions include:

• Poor Diet
• Not enough fiber
• Low water intake
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Not enough exercise
• Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
• Post surgery constipation

Running to the bathroom or always worrying about where a bathroom is located can be referred to called fecal urgency.  There are ways to control fecal urgency and/or incontinence:

• Bulking up the stool to delay going to the toilet
• Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles
• Avoiding food triggers
• Relaxation to calm anxiety

These are very common problems that can be treated by Woman’s Therapy and Nutrition team.   Schedule your individualized private evaluation to begin a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

If you would like to speak to one of our pelvic floor specialist to ask questions before making an appointment, please call 225-924-8450 and ask to speak to a therapist.