01/06/2026
🚽 Leaking p*e? Constipation could be part of the problem. I came across this great image of the Bristol Stool chart by who has lots of great info over on his page so give him a follow!
One of the most common things I see in clinic is women focusing on their bladder symptoms while completely overlooking their bowels.
Your bladder and bowel sit right beside each other in the pelvis. When the bowel becomes full of stool, it can:
👉 Put extra pressure on the bladder
👉 Reduce the bladder’s ability to fill properly
👉 Increase urgency and frequency
👉 Contribute to leakage
👉 Make it harder for the pelvic floor muscles to work effectively
That’s why bowel health is a key part of pelvic floor health.
💩 Take a look at the Bristol Stool Chart.
The goal is usually Type 3-4:
✔️ Easy to pass
✔️ Well formed
✔️ Requires minimal straining
Types 1-2 often indicate constipation, while Types 5-7 may suggest stools are moving through the bowel too quickly.
Remember, constipation doesn’t just mean “not going every day.” You can open your bowels daily and still be constipated if you’re straining, not fully emptying, or passing hard stools.
If you’re struggling with:
🔹 Bladder leaks
🔹 Urgency
🔹 Pelvic heaviness
🔹 Pelvic floor symptoms
…it’s worth asking yourself:
“How are my bowels?”
Sometimes improving bowel habits can make a huge difference to bladder symptoms.
❤️ Pelvic health is never just about one body part.
