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Female bowel function: the real story.

M Zutshi1, T L Hull, J Bast

  • 1Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|January 6, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Normal female bowel habits vary widely, with daily bowel movements not being the norm. Factors like diet, menstruation, and stress significantly influence bowel patterns, and incontinence is common in older women and those who have had children.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Women's Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited research exists on normal female bowel habits, hindering patient counseling and research.
  • Establishing a baseline for normal bowel function is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To survey females without bowel pathology to establish normal bowel function baselines.
  • To examine normal changes in bowel habits throughout a woman's lifetime.

Main Methods:

  • An IRB-approved questionnaire was administered to females without current bowel pathology.
  • Exclusion criteria included depression, stoma, or wheelchair dependency.
  • 425 valid questionnaires from females aged 18-80 were analyzed, comparing data by age, race, and parity.

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Main Results:

  • Bowel movement frequency varied, with 51% having one daily and 30% reporting fewer.
  • Constipation was reported by 15%, higher in African-American females (26%) vs. Caucasian (14%).
  • Younger females reported stool changes linked to menstruation; menopause did not impact bowel habits.
  • 36% of parous females reported occasional stool incontinence; 50% experienced flatal incontinence.
  • Foods were the most common factor affecting bowel function, followed by menstruation and stress.

Conclusions:

  • Normal female bowel habits exhibit significant diversity; a daily bowel movement is not standard.
  • Flatal incontinence is more prevalent in older females and those who have had children.
  • One-third of females experience some form of fecal incontinence.
  • Dietary factors, menstruation, stress, and childbirth are key influences on bowel patterns.