Skip to main content
Log in

Prevalence of Anal Incontinence and Other Anorectal Symptoms in Women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract:

We studied the prevalence of anal incontinence and other anorectal symptoms in women and evaluated the proportion of those who had sought medical help. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 1228 women attending the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics (general, antenatal, urogynecology) of our university hospital. We also screened an additional sample of 984 women, representative of the general population aged 35–74. The prevalence of anal incontinence was 5.6% in the general outpatient clinic, 6.7% in the antenatal clinic, 15.9% in the urogynecology clinic and 4.4% in the general population. Only 20% of women affected by anal incontinence from the general outpatient clinic had reported their symptoms to a medical practitioner. Anal incontinence affects many women, but only a minority seek help. Obstetrician–gynecologists should systematically inquire about the presence of this symptom.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Faltin, D., Sangalli, M., Curtin, F. et al. Prevalence of Anal Incontinence and Other Anorectal Symptoms in Women. Int Urogynecol J 12, 117–121 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00004031

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00004031

Navigation