Fecal Incontinence: When to Seek Specialist Care in Houston, TX

By Dr. Ritha Belizaire

Quick Insights

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool or gas to leak unexpectedly. It affects millions of people and often results from childbirth injury, nerve damage, or muscle weakness. Many patients avoid social activities due to fear of accidents. While dietary changes and pelvic floor therapy may help some cases, persistent symptoms often require evaluation by a colorectal surgeon to identify the underlying cause and explore modern treatment options.

Key Takeaways

• Approximately 67% of patients with sphincter-related fecal incontinence may improve with sacral neuromodulation therapy.
• Common causes include childbirth trauma, nerve damage from diabetes, and age-related muscle weakness.
• Pelvic floor physical therapy and biofeedback can support bowel control in some patients.
• Specialist evaluation becomes important when conservative measures don't provide adequate relief or quality of life suffers.

Why It Matters

Living with fecal incontinence can mean missing family gatherings, avoiding travel, and feeling isolated. Understanding that this condition is treatable helps patients move from shame to action. Accurate diagnosis opens the door to personalized treatment plans that may restore confidence and social engagement.

Introduction

As a board-certified general and colorectal surgeon, I've helped hundreds of patients regain confidence after experiencing bowel leakage. To learn more about my qualifications and expertise as a board-certified colorectal surgeon, please visit my professional bio.

This condition can result from childbirth injury, nerve damage, or muscle weakness, affecting millions of people across all age groups. Medical research shows that fecal incontinence is a treatable condition with evidence-based management options ranging from conservative therapies to advanced surgical solutions.

Many patients avoid social activities, travel, and family gatherings due to fear of accidents. The emotional toll can be just as significant as the physical symptoms, leading to isolation and diminished quality of life. At Houston Community Surgical, I serve patients from Houston Heights, Bellaire, and surrounding communities with compassionate, evidence-based care.

Understanding when to seek specialist evaluation can open the door to personalized treatment plans that may restore your confidence and social engagement.

Understanding Fecal Incontinence for Houston Residents

This condition involves unexpected leakage of stool or gas and ranges in severity from occasional episodes to complete loss of bowel control. This condition affects millions of Americans across all age groups and backgrounds. In my Houston practice, I see patients who've been living with this challenge for months or even years before seeking help.

The condition ranges from occasional gas leakage to complete loss of bowel control. Some patients experience minor soiling between bathroom visits. Others have urgent accidents that happen without warning. Both scenarios can significantly impact daily life and emotional well-being.

Women over 50 represent a large portion of those affected, though fecal incontinence occurs in men and younger adults as well. Many patients tell me they've stopped attending social events or traveling because they fear accidents. This isolation often feels worse than the physical symptoms themselves.

Understanding that bowel leakage is a recognized medical condition—not a personal failing—represents the first step toward effective management. I've found that patients who seek evaluation early often have more treatment options available and better outcomes overall.

Common Causes of Bowel Leakage

Multiple factors can contribute to fecal incontinence, and identifying the underlying cause guides appropriate treatment selection. Standardized diagnostic approaches help physicians identify sphincter injury, nerve damage, and other structural issues that may be causing symptoms.

Childbirth represents one of the most common causes I evaluate in my practice. Vaginal delivery can stretch or tear the anal sphincter muscles, sometimes creating damage that doesn't become symptomatic until years later. Many women don't connect their current bowel control issues with deliveries that happened decades ago.

Nerve damage from conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis can interfere with the signals between your rectum and brain. When these communication pathways don't function properly, you may not sense when stool is present or feel the urge to have a bowel movement until it's too late.

Age-related muscle weakness affects the pelvic floor and anal sphincter over time. Combined with decreased rectal sensation and reduced muscle tone, these changes can gradually compromise bowel control. Chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and previous colorectal surgery may also contribute to leakage in some patients.

When Conservative Management May Help

Many patients benefit from starting with non-surgical approaches before considering more advanced interventions. Dietary modifications and pelvic floor therapy serve as appropriate first-line options for certain types of fecal incontinence.

Dietary fiber adjustments can help regulate stool consistency, making bowel movements more predictable and easier to control. I typically recommend gradually increasing fiber intake while monitoring how your body responds. Some patients find that avoiding specific trigger foods reduces urgency and leakage episodes.

Pelvic floor physical therapy teaches you to strengthen the muscles that support bowel control. A specialized therapist guides you through exercises that target the anal sphincter and surrounding pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback techniques help you become more aware of these muscles and learn to use them more effectively.

Bowel retraining schedules establish regular bathroom routines that may reduce accidents. This approach works by training your digestive system to empty at predictable times. I've observed that patients who commit to these conservative measures for several weeks often see meaningful improvement in their symptoms.

Signs You Should See a Houston Colorectal Surgeon

Certain situations indicate that specialist evaluation has become necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment planning. Clinical practice guidelines recommend colorectal surgeon consultation when symptoms persist despite conservative measures or when quality of life becomes significantly affected.

Persistent leakage that continues after trying dietary changes and pelvic floor therapy warrants specialist assessment. If you've been managing symptoms for several months without improvement, a comprehensive evaluation can identify issues that require different treatment approaches. I often discover underlying structural problems that weren't apparent initially.

Suspected sphincter defects from childbirth or previous surgery need specialized diagnostic testing that colorectal surgeons perform. These injuries may not heal on their own and often require targeted interventions. Early evaluation helps prevent symptoms from worsening over time.

Significant quality of life impact represents another important indicator for specialist care. When bowel leakage prevents you from working, socializing, or maintaining relationships, it's time to explore additional options. I believe no one should accept social isolation as an inevitable consequence of this condition.

How a Specialist Evaluates Fecal Incontinence

Comprehensive evaluation begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and how bowel leakage affects your daily activities. Specialist diagnostic workups include careful physical examination and consideration of specialized testing to guide treatment selection.

I ask specific questions about when leakage occurs, what triggers episodes, and whether you can distinguish between gas and stool. Understanding the pattern and severity of your symptoms helps me determine which diagnostic tests will provide the most useful information. Many patients feel relieved simply discussing these concerns with someone who treats this condition regularly.

Physical examination includes careful assessment of the anal sphincter muscles and surrounding tissues. I check for visible injuries, muscle tone, and nerve function. This examination provides immediate insights into potential causes and helps me decide whether additional testing is necessary.

Specialized testing may include imaging studies or functional assessments depending on what I find during the initial evaluation. These tests help identify sphincter defects, nerve damage, or other structural issues that aren't apparent from examination alone. I explain each recommended test and why it matters for developing your personalized treatment plan.

Modern Treatment Options for Bowel Control

Treatment selection depends on the underlying cause of your fecal incontinence and how severe your symptoms are. Research demonstrates that sacral neuromodulation may help approximately 67% of patients with sphincter-related fecal incontinence achieve continence improvement.

Sacral neuromodulation works by sending mild electrical pulses to the nerves that control bowel function. This therapy can improve communication between your brain and the muscles involved in bowel control. The treatment begins with a trial period to determine whether you respond before proceeding with permanent implantation.

Axonics sacral neuromodulation is an advanced treatment for fecal incontinence that I offer for patients who want the latest options in bowel leakage therapy.

Long-term outcome studies indicate that sacral nerve stimulation can support sustained quality of life improvements over 36 months or longer in many patients. I've found this option particularly valuable for patients who haven't responded to conservative measures but want to avoid more invasive surgical procedures.

Other treatment options may include sphincter repair surgery for specific injuries or injectable bulking agents for certain types of leakage. The appropriate choice depends on your individual anatomy, the cause of your symptoms, and your personal treatment goals. My approach emphasizes finding the least invasive effective option that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

Discover more about my specialized colorectal care and treatment options offered at Houston Community Surgical.

Nearby facilities include Memorial Hermann Health System, which serves the broader Houston community.

One Patient's Experience

As a colorectal surgeon, I know that choosing to seek care for bowel leakage takes courage. Many patients tell me they've been struggling alone for months or years before reaching out.

"I'm so grateful to have discovered Dr. Belizaire. I left feeling confident that I will be well taken care of in the event she does my surgery."

  —  Whitney

This is one patient's experience; individual results may vary.

I appreciate when patients share their concerns openly during consultations. This allows me to provide the thorough evaluation and personalized care plan that addresses their specific situation and goals.

Conclusion

Living with fecal incontinence can feel isolating, but research shows that most patients report satisfaction with specialist care and would recommend evaluation to others facing similar concerns. Understanding that bowel leakage is a treatable medical condition—not a personal failing—represents the first step toward regaining confidence and social engagement.

As a board-certified general and colorectal surgeon and Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, I've helped hundreds of patients find effective solutions tailored to their specific needs. Clinical guidelines recommend colorectal surgeon consultation when symptoms persist despite conservative measures or when quality of life becomes significantly affected.

I serve Houston and nearby communities such as Houston Heights, Bellaire, and surrounding areas with compassionate, evidence-based care. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't wait. Call Houston Community Surgical at 832-979-5670 to request a prompt appointment. Not local? I also offer virtual second opinion case reviews at www.2ndscope.com—so no matter where you are, expert help is just a click away.

If you're ready to take the next step, schedule a same-day consultation to explore your treatment options.

This article 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 in this article.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes fecal incontinence in women?

Fecal incontinence often results from childbirth trauma that stretches or tears the anal sphincter muscles. Nerve damage from conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis can interfere with bowel control signals. Age-related muscle weakness, chronic diarrhea, and previous colorectal surgery may also contribute.

Many women don't connect current symptoms with deliveries that happened years ago. Identifying the underlying cause through specialist evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your specific situation.

Can pelvic floor therapy help with bowel leakage?

Pelvic floor physical therapy can support bowel control in some patients by strengthening the muscles that manage bowel movements. A specialized therapist guides you through targeted exercises and biofeedback techniques that help you become more aware of these muscles.

Dietary fiber adjustments and bowel retraining schedules may also reduce urgency and leakage episodes. I typically recommend trying these conservative approaches for several weeks before considering more advanced interventions, though persistent symptoms often require specialist evaluation.

When should I see a colorectal surgeon for fecal incontinence?

You should seek specialist evaluation when bowel leakage continues after trying dietary changes and pelvic floor therapy for several months. Suspected sphincter defects from childbirth or previous surgery need specialized diagnostic testing that colorectal surgeons perform.

Significant quality of life impact—when symptoms prevent you from working, socializing, or maintaining relationships—represents another important indicator for specialist care. Early evaluation helps prevent symptoms from worsening and opens the door to modern treatment options like sacral neuromodulation.

Where can I find fecal incontinence treatment in Houston?

Dr. Ritha Belizaire at Houston Community Surgical provides physician-led evaluation and treatment for fecal incontinence. My practice focuses on clear answers, respectful care, and evidence-based options. If you're unsure what's causing your symptoms, scheduling a visit can help you understand next steps and explore treatment options tailored to your specific needs.