If you are having trouble controlling your bowels, your healthcare professional will:
- Ask questions about how often bowel leakage happens, when it happens, and what is going on at the time
- Check for hemorrhoids and other medical problems
- Suggest seeing a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, proctologist, or colorectal surgeon, if needed
A specialist may use some of the following tests
Some of these tests may not be appropriate for people with cognitive problems because they may have trouble understanding or following directions during the test.
Sigmoidoscopy
This test uses a thin, flexible tube with a small camera on the end. The tube is placed into the rectum to look for problems that may cause fecal incontinence.
Anal manometry
This test uses a small tube that measures pressure. It checks how tightly the sphincter muscles close and how well they respond to nerve signals.
Endoanal ultrasound
A small probe is placed into the rectum. It uses sound waves to create pictures of the tissues. This helps find problems deeper in the tissue that cannot be seen with a camera.
Proctography (also called defecography)
A liquid called barium is placed into the rectum through a small tube. The test shows how much stool the rectum can hold and how well it empties when using a special toilet.
Last Updated May 2026