Difficulty going to the toilet for No.2’s is a topic not many women want to discuss…but it is so very common. Often treating any bowel dysfunction is top of my list because if the bowel does not function properly it can impact on other symptoms such as pelvic pain, prolapse and even urinary incontinence.
Symptoms of bowel dysfunction include:
Constipation
Diarrhoea or Faecal Incontinence
Faecal urgency - suddenly needing to pass a bowel movement
Straining and pushing to pass a bowel movement
Pain when feeling the urge to go, and also during and after a bowel movement.
Dysfunction is usually caused by a combination of factors which can include:
Pelvic floor and sphincter muscles that are too weak
Pelvic floor and sphincter muscles unable to relax to allow stool to pass
Pelvic organ prolapse causing a “pocket” for the stool to get stuck in
Diet - this is often such a simple starting point!
Pelvic pain such as Endometriosis
Bowel dysfunction can strike at any time, but in my practice I find it particularly affects women during their menopausal years - really anytime after 35. But often the early post-natal period women are troubled with bowel issues due to the changes after pregnancy and labour.
Physiotherapy can help with relaxation and strengthening of the pelvic floor, give advice on good bowel health, improving toileting techniques and lifestyle changes to help get on top of symptoms. It’s an embarrassing topic, but making an appointment to even chat about symptoms is a major starting point.