TreatmentWhat Researchers Found
The dietary fiber supplement psyllium
  • Psyllium appears to reduce the number of times FI happens in some people after taking it for 1 month, but more research is needed to know this for sure.
Antidiarrhea medicines
  • There is not enough research to know if or how well antidiarrhea medicines work to treat FI. This does not mean that they do not work, but more research is needed to know.
Bowel training
  • There is not enough research to know if or how well bowel training works to treat FI. This does not mean that it does not work, but more research is needed to know.
Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with biofeedback *
  • For some people, PFMT with biofeedback appears to work about the same as anal sphincter bulking shots in the short term (for up to 6 months), but more research is needed to know this for sure.
  • More research is needed to know how well PFMT with biofeedback works for longer than 6 months.
Anal sphincter bulking shots
  • For some people, anal sphincter bulking shots appear to improve quality of life and reduce the number of times FI happens in the short term (for up to 6 months), but more research is needed to know this for sure.
  • More research is needed to know how well the shots work for longer than 6 months.
Surgery for FI
(sacral nerve stimulation, anal sphincter repair, and anal sphincter replacement)
  • There is not enough research to know if or how well surgery works to treat FI. This does not mean that it does not work, but more research is needed to know.
*

There is not enough research to know how well PFMT works by itself (without biofeedback).

From: Treatments for Fecal Incontinence

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Comparative Effectiveness Review Summary Guides for Consumers [Internet].
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