Bladder and bowel problems

Bladder and bowel problems are not an inevitable part of ageing, or something you have to put up with. Start by talking to your GP.

Symptoms such as frequency, urgency, not getting to the toilet quickly enough, or having to get up at night to pass urine are common so there’s no need to feel embarrassed.

Your GP will assess your symptoms, identify the cause, and discuss what treatments or exercises may help. Or you could refer yourself directly to your local NHS continence service for an assessment, where a continence adviser can help you.

Urinary infections can be serious. Consult your GP or pharmacist if you think you have a urinary infection.

Self-help tips to help bladder control

There are things you can try that may help improve your symptoms:

Drink normally, as cutting down on liquids will usually make urinary incontinence worse, not better
If you notice that tea, coffee and cola make your symptoms worse, cut down or try decaffeinated versions
Check whether any medicines you’re taking could be affecting your bladder
Read about urinary incontinence
Find out about urge incontinence and urgency
Download the NHS Squeezy app for pelvic floor exercises

Bowel incontinence

Bowel incontinence, or faecal incontinence, is when you have problems controlling your bowels.

It can be very upsetting and embarrassing, but it's important to get medical advice if you have it because treatment can help.

Symptoms include:

You have sudden urges to poo that you cannot control
You soil yourself without realising you needed the toilet
You sometimes leak poo – for example, when you pass wind (fart)
It happens every day or from time to time – a one-off 'accident' when you're ill with diarrhoea is not usually a problem
It's affecting your daily life – for example, it stops you socialising

You may also have other symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhoea, passing wind or bloating.

See a GP if you have difficulty controlling your bowels. Do not be embarrassed about talking to someone about it.