Symptoms of bowel dysfunction include:
- Straining to pass a bowel motion
- Stools are hard and lumpy
- You have less bowel movements than is usual for you
- You feel unfinished after having a bowel motion
- You feel bloated, or have abdominal pain and discomfort
- Stools are looser
- Increased frequency of bowel motions
- Lack of control of stool leading to incontinence (leakage)
These symptoms can be a source of upset and embarrassment, as well as discomfort.