Fecal Incontinence Treatment in Houston | Houston Community Surgical
Ritha Belizaire, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Board-Certified General and Colorectal Surgeon
Fecal Incontinence Overview
If bowel leakage is keeping you from living your life fully, you are not alone. Studies estimate that fecal incontinence affects approximately 1 in 10 adults in the United States, though the true numbers are likely higher because many people never discuss it with their doctor.
I understand why. In my practice, many patients tell me they waited years before seeking help. They stopped traveling, skipped social events, and quietly rearranged their entire lives around the fear of an accident. That kind of silence is common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Fecal incontinence is a medical condition with real, effective treatment options. As a board-certified colorectal surgeon, I evaluate and treat bowel control problems every day in a safe, judgment-free environment. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, a thorough evaluation is the first step toward getting your confidence back.
At Houston Community Surgical in the Heights, we offer a complete evaluation pathway and a personalized treatment plan that may include conservative therapies, pelvic floor rehabilitation, or advanced options like sacral neuromodulation.
What Is Fecal Incontinence?
Fecal incontinence, also called bowel incontinence or accidental bowel leakage, is the inability to control bowel movements. It can range from occasional minor leakage to a complete loss of bowel control.
People with fecal incontinence may experience one or more of the following patterns:
• Fecal urgency: You feel a sudden, strong urge to have a bowel movement and cannot make it to the restroom in time.
• Urgency fecal incontinence: You are unable to stop the urge to pass stool, resulting in leakage before reaching the restroom.
• Passive bowel incontinence: Stool leaks during physical activity or without any awareness that it is happening.
Many adults experience more than one type. It is also common to have both bowel and bladder control symptoms at the same time. This is called dual incontinence, and it can be addressed through a single treatment pathway.
Fecal incontinence is not a normal part of aging. It is a treatable medical condition. Regardless of how long you have been dealing with these symptoms, effective options exist, and the right evaluation can identify which approach is most likely to help.
Common Causes of Bowel Leakage
Bowel leakage can develop for many different reasons, and understanding the underlying cause is essential for choosing the right treatment. Some of the most common causes include:
• Muscle damage to the anal sphincter. This is one of the leading causes, particularly in women after childbirth. Vaginal delivery can stretch or tear the muscles that control the anus.
• Nerve damage. The nerves that signal when stool is present in the rectum can be injured during childbirth, spinal surgery, or from chronic straining. Conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis can also affect these nerves over time.
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation. Loose stools are harder to hold. Chronic constipation can also weaken the pelvic floor muscles through repeated straining, eventually leading to leakage.
• Rectal prolapse or rectocele. Structural changes to the rectum, such as prolapse (where the rectum drops from its normal position) or rectocele (a bulge of the rectal wall), can interfere with bowel control.
• Prior colorectal or pelvic surgery. Procedures involving the rectum, colon, or pelvic organs can sometimes affect the structures responsible for continence.
In my experience, many patients have been told their symptoms are “just IBS” or “just part of getting older.”
A careful evaluation can often identify a specific, treatable cause that has been overlooked.
When to See a Specialist for Fecal Incontinence
If bowel leakage is affecting your daily routine, your relationships, or your willingness to leave the house, it is time to talk to a specialist. You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe.
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you:
• Experience any involuntary leakage of stool, even occasionally
• Have sudden urges that make it difficult to reach the restroom
• Wear pads or plan your day around bathroom access
• Have avoided travel, exercise, or social activities because of your symptoms
• Have tried dietary changes or over-the-counter medications without improvement
• Notice your symptoms worsening over time
A colorectal surgeon is the primary specialist for fecal incontinence. Unlike general gastroenterologists or urologists, a colorectal surgeon has fellowship-level training in the muscles, nerves, and structures that control bowel function. This means they can offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options under one roof.
Many of my patients tell me they wish they had come in sooner. The average patient I see has been living with symptoms for years before seeking specialized care. That delay is understandable, but the sooner we identify the cause, the more treatment options are available to you.
How Fecal Incontinence Is Diagnosed
A thorough evaluation is the foundation of effective treatment. Your first visit will focus on understanding your symptoms, their severity, and how they affect your quality of life.
A fecal incontinence evaluation typically includes:
• A detailed medical history: This covers your symptoms, bowel habits, diet, medications, surgical history, and childbirth history if applicable.
• A physical examination: This includes an assessment of the pelvic floor muscles and the structures involved in bowel control.
• A bowel diary: You may be asked to track your bowel patterns, episodes of leakage, and dietary triggers for a short period before or after your appointment.
• Additional diagnostic studies: Depending on your symptoms, additional studies may be recommended to evaluate muscle function, nerve signaling, or structural changes in the rectum and pelvic floor.
The goal of this workup is to identify the specific cause of your symptoms so your treatment plan can be tailored accordingly.
Treatment Options for Fecal Incontinence
Treatment for fecal incontinence depends on the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), treatment should follow a stepwise approach, starting with the least invasive options and progressing based on your response.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Your plan will be personalized based on your evaluation.
Conservative Management
For many patients, the first step is conservative treatment. These approaches are noninvasive and can be started right away:
• Dietary modifications: Adjusting fiber intake, managing fluid consumption, and identifying food triggers can improve stool consistency and reduce episodes of leakage.
• Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening the muscles that support bowel control may help reduce urgency and improve your ability to hold stool.
• Medications: Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications or prescription options can help manage loose stools that contribute to leakage.
Conservative management is effective for many people, particularly when symptoms are mild or related to dietary factors. When these approaches are not enough on their own, additional therapies can be considered.
Biofeedback and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Biofeedback therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps retrain the pelvic floor muscles involved in bowel control. During biofeedback sessions, sensors provide real-time feedback on muscle activity, helping you learn to coordinate and strengthen those muscles more effectively.
Research supports biofeedback as a frontline treatment for fecal incontinence, with clinical guidelines identifying it as one of the mainstays of nonsurgical management (Rao et al., 2016). Biofeedback therapy can be coordinated as part of your overall treatment plan, either on its own or alongside dietary and lifestyle changes.
Sacral Neuromodulation and Axonics Therapy
When conservative treatments and biofeedback have not provided adequate relief, sacral neuromodulation may be the next step. This minimally invasive therapy works by delivering gentle electrical impulses to the sacral nerves, which help regulate bowel and bladder function.
The process involves two stages. First, a brief trial evaluation using a temporary system allows you and your doctor to assess how well the therapy works for you. If the trial is successful, a small, long-term device is placed beneath the skin in a short outpatient procedure.
Axonics Therapy is one form of sacral neuromodulation that uses a rechargeable, MRI-compatible device. It is designed for long-term symptom management and has been studied in clinical trials involving hundreds of patients.
A 2024 systematic review published in Neuromodulation found that sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence achieved long-term success rates ranging from approximately 59% to 88% in patients who completed the full treatment course, with significant quality-of-life improvements sustained at three or more years of follow-up. A 2025 meta-analysis in the World Journal of Surgery also found that sacral neuromodulation was associated with a 67% rate of continence improvement in patients with anal sphincter defects, outperforming traditional surgical repair.
Because it is a reversible therapy with a well-tolerated side effect profile in clinical studies, sacral neuromodulation can be a strong option for patients who have not responded to more conservative approaches.
Why Choose Houston Community Surgical for Fecal Incontinence Treatment
Fecal incontinence is personal, and choosing a specialist matters. At Houston Community Surgical, you will work directly with a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon who treats bowel control conditions every day.
Board-certified expertise.
Dr. Ritha Belizaire is board-certified in both General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS). She has been recognized as a Houstonia Magazine Top Doctor in Colon and Rectal Surgery and brings academic-level training from UT Health Houston to a private practice setting in the Heights.
A complete treatment pathway.
From initial evaluation through conservative management, biofeedback coordination, and advanced therapies like
Axonics Therapy, your care is coordinated from first evaluation through treatment, with a clear plan at every step.
A safe, judgment-free environment. Bowel control problems carry a stigma that keeps many people from getting help. This practice was built to be a place where you can discuss your symptoms openly and be treated with dignity.
Convenient access in the Heights. Located on W. 20th Street in Houston Heights, Houston Community Surgical offers same-day and next-day appointments. For patients outside of Houston, virtual second opinion consultations are available at www.2ndscope.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fecal Incontinence Treatment
What kind of doctor should I see for fecal incontinence?
A colorectal surgeon is the primary specialist for fecal incontinence. Colorectal surgeons complete fellowship training specifically focused on the colon, rectum, and pelvic floor, which means they can evaluate the full range of causes and offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. Gastroenterologists and urogynecologists may also be involved in your care depending on the underlying cause.
Can fecal incontinence be cured completely?
Many patients experience significant improvement or full resolution of symptoms with the right treatment. Outcomes depend on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and how early treatment begins. Some patients manage their condition effectively with conservative approaches, while others may benefit from advanced therapies like sacral neuromodulation. Your treatment plan will be based on what your evaluation reveals.
What happens at a fecal incontinence evaluation?
Your first visit includes a detailed conversation about your symptoms, bowel habits, medical history, and how your symptoms affect your daily life. A physical examination of the pelvic floor is also performed. Based on these findings, your doctor may recommend additional diagnostic studies to determine the specific cause before building your treatment plan.
How long does it take to see results from treatment?
This varies by treatment type. Dietary and lifestyle changes may show improvement within a few weeks. Biofeedback therapy typically involves a series of sessions over several weeks to months. For sacral neuromodulation, the initial trial evaluation takes approximately two to four weeks, and many patients notice improvement during the trial period itself.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a list of your current medications, any previous test results or imaging related to your symptoms, and notes on your bowel patterns. If you have been keeping a bowel diary, bring that as well. This helps your doctor make the most of your evaluation.
Does Houston Community Surgical accept insurance?
Houston Community Surgical is an out-of-network practice. This model allows Dr. Belizaire to spend more time with each patient and make treatment decisions based entirely on your clinical needs. Call 832-979-5670 to discuss pricing, payment options, and what documentation may be available for your records.
This page is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are experiencing bowel leakage or loss of bowel control, you do not have to manage it alone. Schedule a consultation by calling 832-979-5670 to request a same-day or next-day appointment.
Not in Houston? Dr. Belizaire also offers virtual second opinion consultations at www.2ndscope.com.
Medically reviewed by Ritha Belizaire, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Last reviewed: May 2026
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