It’s not uncommon for patients to approach their health care providers in blushes and whispers, burdened by the weight of perceived taboos.
Certain symptoms can feel distressing or embarrassing to talk about, including the stool leakage or loss of bowel control that may be symptoms of fecal incontinence.
Elisa Birnbaum, MD, a professor of GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery in the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has worked not only to advance a multidisciplinary approach to surgical treatment for fecal incontinence, especially in women, but to destigmatize the condition so that patients feel less embarrassed to approach their doctors about it.
Further, her research has explored innovative treatments for fecal incontinence, working toward improved outcomes and improved quality of life for patients. She recently addressed some common questions about fecal incontinence.