Condition : Bladder and bowel issues

If you have problems with weeing or pooing (continence), it may be due to a problem involving your bladder or bowel.

For bladder and bowel issues in children, refer to our advice page on bed wetting.

• Bedwetting

If you cannot control when you wee or poo, this is known as incontinence. Signs of incontinence of either the bladder or bowel include:

• poo or urine leaking out
• sudden, intense urges to wee or poo
• streaks or stains in your underwear

You can have a bladder or bowel issue that doesn’t involve incontinence, but where the symptoms may include:

• constipation (not pooing as often or finding it hard to poo)
• urinary retention (inability to complete empty the bladder)
• pain or difficulty while weeing or pooing
• blood in urine or poo
• changes in colour of urine or poo
• stomach ache

There is a range of possible reasons for bladder and bowel issues, including infections, neurological problems, and injuries.

Certain risk factors can increase your chances of having a bladder or bowel problem, including:

• pregnancy and vaginal birth
• obesity
• a family history
• increasing age

Constipation

In most cases of constipation, diet and lifestyle changes will resolve the problem, as common causes include:

• not eating enough fibre (which is found in fruits, vegetables, and cereals)
• not drinking enough fluids
• not moving enough and spending long periods sitting or lying down
• being less active and not exercising
• often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
• changing your diet or daily routine
• a side effect of medicine
• stress, anxiety, or depression

Constipation is common during and after pregnancy and in older people

In rare instances, constipation can be a symptom of a medical condition. If your constipation isn’t getting better and you have blood in your poo, have lost weight without trying, feel tired all the time, or have additional symptoms that are concerning you, make an appointment with a GP.

If you suspect a medicine that you’ve been prescribed is causing constipation, speak to a GP before you stop taking it.