Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence: How It Works and What to Expect

Fecal incontinence can be an isolating condition, forcing you to avoid social situations in case of untimely accidents. In women, loss of bowel control may be the result of muscle or nerve damage related to childbirth, among other potential contributing factors. 

Fecal incontinence can be difficult to treat for some women, particularly when pelvic floor muscle exercises and lifestyle changes fail to produce sufficient results. 

As fecal incontinence specialists, our team at Southeast Urogyn assure you that there’s a solution for your condition. 

Causes of fecal incontinence

As we mentioned, muscle and nerve damage are two contributors to fecal incontinence, both of which may be a result of having children. Muscle damage often results from forceps delivery or having an episiotomy. 

Nerve damage can also occur due to:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Chronic constipation
• Conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis
• A stroke
• A spinal cord injury

Rectal prolapse and rectocele, where the rectum protrudes into the vagina, can also create conditions that cause fecal incontinence. 

Biofeedback for fecal incontinence

Biofeedback is a mind-body training system in which you use devices to measure normally involuntary body systems to deliver information that allows you to consciously influence or control these systems. 

In some cases, you can achieve a surprising amount of control over bodily functions like heart and respiration rates. 

How it works

There are several types of biofeedback sensors. We most often use a vaginal device about the size of a tampon that measures the way your pelvic floor muscles react to your attempts to contract them. You can see these results on a screen. 

Working with our staff, you learn the techniques that work to control the muscles of your anal sphincter and rectum. Seeing how the muscles work as you’re contracting the muscles provides the feedback you need to reinforce your efforts. 

What to expect

One of the reasons pelvic floor exercises like Kegels have limited effectiveness is that there’s no way to confirm you’re correctly isolating the right muscle groups. Biofeedback for fecal incontinence provides that confirmation. 

We give you the assistance you need to regain control of your bowel function. Since you can see the results as you work your pelvic floor muscles, you can quickly hone in on the right muscle groups. 

Once you learn the proper contractions, you’re able to perform the exercises without the biofeedback sensors. 

For patients who can’t regain pelvic muscle control through biofeedback techniques, we also offer electrical stimulation therapy for pelvic floor muscles. And we have more aggressive treatment techniques for fecal incontinence, including Axonics® therapy. 

There’s a solution for your fecal incontinence problem. Call the nearest office of Southeast Urogyn to book your consultation today. We’re located in Madison and Flowood, Mississippi.