Really embarrassing poo question

Life can be hard. You have my best wishes.

I am in my late 60's and for the last 3 years, I have the wiping problem. I am not constipated but a bowel movement of fairly normal stool is followed by a quite loose one, which takes many wipes to clean. I get quite sore/itchy at times. I don't have high fat diet as I had gall stones about 15 years ago and after surgery to remove gall bladder, I can't tolerate much fat and get reflux if I try. In the last 3 years I started to get reflux more often especially at night. I have been on Omeprazole, but that is not good in long term so I am trying to manage with Gaviscon. So mine seems related to a bile production problem. I was told problems like this can have a few causes or no obvious one. Washing is the best answer, but I can still get sore. Dr said drying gently and putting a small amount of Vaseline as a barrier would help, it does a bit.

I will tell you this, I am an alcoholic and suffer from diverticulitis. If I ever ask you to move from a public toilet, you will regret not doing what I ask.

😝

This to me sounds like a rectocele.

I’m on my sofa recovering from pelvic organ prolapse surgery- I had a cystocele (bladder) and a rectocele (rectum) and I had this exact same problem.

I’d have a bowel movement, clean myself etc and then later, feel myself leaking.

you need to see an urogynaecologist and probably a pelvic physio as well

Actually it’s not normal. Common yes, but not normal.

I’ve just had surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, including my bladder, and as my urogynaecologist told me - common and normal aren’t the same thing and too many women don’t do anything about their bladder and bowel issues because they think it’s normal

"This is quite an ignorant comment. Completely misunderstanding basic plumbing.
And we don’t have ‘codes’ in the UK."

It's really not that ignorant, seeing as the device this poster was referring to are against UK regulations due to the risk of contaminating water supplies with fecal matter / bacteria etc, unless Installed with very expensive air gap valves or water tanks etc

Had this issue for years now, am late 50's.
Not exactly sure of the cause but likely connected to allergy and pelvic floor.

If bum gets a bit sore, or if you've wiped alot savlon cream, the plain white one, dabbed on and wiped off is soothing and limits itching from dried poop.

How scary..I hope the reconstruction goes well 🙏

I’ve been looking into help for rectoceles, and read that hypopressive exercises can help - it’s a method for strengthening your pelvic floor by sucking your stomach in to lift your diaphragm (sometimes known as stomach vacuums!). They can be useful for any type of pelvic floor prolapse apparently. Some pelvic floor physios are trained in this and could advise. I’ve also found a YouTube channel - hypopressives with Alice - looks promising. There’s a lot of free content but you can contact her for personalised programmes. I’m trying the free stuff to see if it helps!

https://m.youtube.com/@hypopressiveswithalice

I have this and do have bothersome piles. I do wash my arse 2x daily, once showering in the morning and a quick blast at the end of the day.

I'm thinking of getting some Wype gel. Such fun how many new things we acquire the more middle aged we get. 🙄

I do too and can actually see my bowel bearing down due to gravity.. I also physically push back up. I have the same problem as the OP but never constipation. I also have IBS . Am 68 and was worrying about all of this for quite a while before I went to the GP a couple of years ago and all bloods came back fine, also the Bowel cancer poo test. Never had a scan or colonoscopy as the bloods were fine.
My husband had a poo test a yr ago. All apparently was fine, then he had a major emergency op and a stoma fitted 9 months ago., followed by chemo. He is fine now, looking forward to a reconstruction this year/next yr. The poo test is not always reliable so best to see a doctor.

I do love MN, I've learnt such a lot from this thread alone 😀

And is it as simple to install as they say?

I have had this problem for many years - I am a bit leaky following a colo-rectal cancer op. My solution might be a bit yukky for you but I find if I use a finger to clean out my rectum after a poo, there is nothing lurking in there to leak out.

OP thank you for having the courage to post about this, I've secretly been struggling with the same issue for a few years now. I feel like it's my dirty secret, literally! I feel shame about my underwear and fear anyone knowing. I haven't the courage to see my GP as I feel quite disgusting, I will watch and see what you come back with. It's reassuring to know I am
not alone.

This is quite an ignorant comment. Completely misunderstanding basic plumbing.

And we don’t have ‘codes’ in the UK.

I have a rectocele and was told that it can only be fixed surgically. It's fucking awful. Sorry if it's TMI but sometimes when I go for a poo, my anus literally feels like it's hanging out and I have to physically push it back up. I haven't had children but did overuse laxatives for many years due to an eating disorder, which is maybe what caused it. I just have to live with it now as I can't afford to go private and the NHS don't think it's necessary!!

Just popping on here to say that you can have a rectocele even if you've never given birth.

They can be caused by constipation or may be a birth defect.

Try some fibre sachets and see if that changes things for you..
I had the exact same issue this year, started taking psyillim husk that I take daily and the issue has gone! It was all related to lack of fibre

Alongside pelvic floor exercises I'm a huge poo stool advocate, positioning yourself into a squat hugely increases your chance of a 'clean break' decreasing wiping requirements 😁

If you've been taking movicol long term, this can suddenly happen. Recently happened to me after taking for 4yrs. I reduced the dose by half and problem solved.

but you get two in one...I'm sure quick cold water blast up your nethers has all the benefits of a cold water swim, on top of leaving you lovely and clean.

Thank you

I have lived with this for nearly 40 years. After the birth of my second child, I got piles. They are fine most of the time but occasionally flare up. During my post birth checks with the doctor, I explained this and she said yes there will be a problem with wiping. I have perfect poo, according to the Bristol Stool Chart, so it is not that. I have thought about having my piles banded, but that comes with risks and usually it doesn’t last forever. I appreciate the post about the bum gun but even if I washed myself it could still appear later. I am going to have a Korean toilet seat fitted on my next bathroom refitting though. When my piles flare up I use Anusol suppositories and when I use these the problem stops as I have a sort of plug. So if I need to go out anywhere special, I will put one in.