Bowel Function Clinic

The Bowel Function Clinic is led by nurse specialists and physiotherapists who will discuss your problems with you and offer advice on managing your symptoms.  

You may need to be examined. We will let you know if this is needed, and what this will involve. We may also ask you to see your GP for a review of any medicines that may be affecting your bowel. 

You will be seen regularly. We will expect you to do the exercises and follow the advice you have been given between your appointments. 

Who can we help

We can help patients who have problems with:

• bowel leakage
• constipation
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• anal muscle weakness
• anal pain
• difficulty having a poo (unable to open bowels properly)
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• pelvic organ prolapse

Treatment

We will explain how your digestive system works and explain any investigations you may have had. We also: 

• take a detailed history
• give health education, including advice on diet and fluid intake, exercise and stress management
• give advice on toilet positioning and straining
• teach you how to do anal strengthening and pelvic floor exercises
• refer for behavioural therapy
• provide biofeedback
• offer pelvic floor retraining if muscles remain inactive
• offer rectal irrigation
• offer support and advice on the use of suppositories, enemas and Loperamide
• refer you to other specialists, such as dietitians, for more investigations if necessary

Biofeedback

This is a treatment to retrain your bowel and muscles to improve your bowel control and function. It involves advice on emptying your bowels, muscle control and the function of the gut.

Biofeedback may also include nerve stimulation therapy which involves inserting a small probe into your bottom (anus). The probe is connected to a monitor and allows us to see what your pelvic floor muscles are doing. The procedure is not painful. 

Speak to your specialist nurse or physiotherapist if you have any questions or concerns.

Results

We will write to your referring doctor and GP with a detailed report of your progress.