To find out more about your pelvic floor muscles, what can go wrong and what you can do to help, have a look at the short videos on this website Pelvic Health Information videos.
Constipation
Constipation is infrequent passage of stool (poo), with difficulty evacuating, straining and the passage of hard, lumpy stools.
What can you do?
- Read POGP Improving Bowel Function and NHS Fife Constipation leaflet
- Try to drink 1.5 - 2 litres of water based fluids every day.
- Try some of the dietary tips in this BDA IBS leaflet from the British Dietetics Association (BDA)
- Try milled golden linseeds in your diet.
- Improve the way you sit on the toilet. This is a simple but very effective way of helping your bowels to move easily. Watch the Toilet Positioning video for more information on this.
Faecal Incontinence
Faecal Incontinence is a distressing condition which means stool leaks from the back passage. This can happen without warning or can be associated with an urge to move your bowels but being unable to make it to the toilet.
What can you do?
- Strengthen the muscles around the back passage by doing these Sphincter exercises
- Empty your bowel properly by sitting properly on the toilet. See the Toilet Positioning video for more information on this.
- Sometimes medication can be used, talk to your healthcare professional about this.
- Order a Just Can't Wait card to use when out and about. This allows you quick access to toilets.
Rectal Prolapse
Rectal Prolapse is where the lining of the rectum descends, and can even protrude from the anus.
What can you do?
- Strengthen the pelvic floor muscles around the back passage by doing these Sphincter exercises
- Avoid straining when emptying your bowels. Use a footstool under your feet Toilet Positioning video
