Female fecal incontinence: A condition silenced in the discourse of pelvic health

Abstract

Fecal incontinence is a pelvic floor dysfunction that has remained invisible in the clinical and scientific fields, despite the fact that female pelvic health has historically been treated from a predominantly pathophysiological perspective, which has limited the comprehensive understanding of its biopsychosocial implications. This condition, often silenced due to stigma, lack of information, and shame, has a considerable impact on women's quality of life. Fecal incontinence, in addition to its clinical dimension, has a strong psychosocial impact, affecting self-perception, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and social life. This reflective article aims to suggests a comprehensive perspective that connects the physiological with the psychosocial, emphasizing the importance of making this problem visible in healthcare conversations and fostering empathetic and interdisciplinary care.