Faecal incontinence (FI) is the term describing the inability to control the bowels (International Continence Society [ICS], 2015). This can include the uncontrolled passage of solid or liquid stool, or flatus (wind) (Benezech et al, 2016) through the anal canal. It is recognised as a symptom rather than a diagnosis (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2014) and is the result of complex interactions of many contributing factors. This series of two articles will look at this taboo condition, how it affects quality of life, highlight the anatomy and physiology which affects bowel control and then discuss conditions and contributing factors that make individuals prone to the
symptoms of FI.