Prevalence of anal incontinence and other anorectal symptoms in women

We studied the prevalence of anal incontinence and other anorectal symptoms in women and evaluated the proportion of those who had sought medical help . A structured questionnaire was distributed to 1228 women attending the ob stetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics (general, antenatal, urogynecolo gy) of our university hospital. We also screened an additional sample of 98 4 women, representative of the general population aged 35-74. The prevalenc e of anal incontinence was 5.6% in the general outpatient clinic, 6.7% in t he antenatal clinic, 15.9% in the urogynecology clinic and 4.4% in the gene ral population. Only 20% of women affected by anal incontinence from the ge neral outpatient clinic had reported their symptoms to a medical practition er. Anal incontinence affects many women, but only a minority seek help. Ob stetrician-gynecologists should systematically inquire about the presence o f this symptom.