---
url: 'https://www.stagehia.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence'
title: 'Fecal Incontinence'
author:
  name: 'Jennifer Cross'
  url: 'https://www.stagehia.healthinaging.org/user/102'
date: '2018-11-02T18:09:06+00:00'
updated: '2022-12-16T17:13:09+00:00'
type: topic
summary: 'Fecal incontinence happens when you cannot control your bowels long enough to get to a bathroom. Healthcare professionals will diagnose adults with fecal incontinence if this happens more than once for at least a month. Between 2% and 7% of adults have fecal incontinence.'
tags:
  - Health
published: true
---
 Fecal incontinence means a person can’t control their bowels (small and large intestine) long enough to get to a bathroom.

Fecal incontinence is not a normal part of aging, but it is more common in older people because related health problems are more common in late life.

[Basic Facts](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/basic-facts)

[Causes](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/causes)

[Symptoms](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/symptoms)

[Diagnosis & Tests](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/tests)

[Care & Treatment](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/care-treatment)

[Lifestyle & Management](/a-z-topic/fecal-incontinence/lifestyle)