Female anal relaxation

If female friends find that there is looseness around their anus, they should not delay the treatment. They must go to the hospital immediately for further examination to know the severity of their anal looseness. If the disease is delayed, it will eventually lead to urinary incontinence, which is very dangerous. Therefore, it is best to undergo surgical treatment in the early stage of the disease.

1. Medical history

It is necessary to inquire about the cause of anal incontinence, the initial symptoms, the severity of the current incontinence, and whether there is a history of surgery, radiation, or injury to the anorectal area. Bowel habits, frequency of bowel movements and stool texture, history of neurological, metabolic and urinary system diseases, etc.

(II) Visual examination

In complete incontinence, visual examination often reveals that the anus is open and round, or has deformities, defects, or scars. Feces and intestinal fluid are discharged from the anus, and the skin of the anus may have eczema-like changes. Pull the buttocks apart with your hands, and the anal canal will completely relax and become round. Sometimes, the anal canal is partially defective and scarred, and the rectal cavity can often be seen through the round hole.

Incomplete incontinence means that the anus is not tightly closed, and there may be fecal contamination in the anus during diarrhea.

3. Digital rectal examination

The anus is relaxed, and the sphincter and anorectal ring do not contract significantly or completely when the anal canal is contracted. If it is caused by injury, scar tissue can be felt in the anus. In case of incomplete incontinence, digital examination can reveal weakened sphincter contraction.

(IV) Endoscopic examination

Proctoscopy can be used to observe whether there are any deformities in the anal canal, the condition of the skin and mucous membranes of the anal canal, and the closure of the anus. Fiber colonoscopy can be used to observe diseases such as colitis, Crohn's disease, polyps, and cancer. Rigid colonoscopy can be used to observe whether there is complete rectal prolapse.

(V) Defecation radiography

The morphological and anatomical structure of the anal sphincter, anal canal, and rectum can be measured. X-ray barium examination of the dynamic functional status can observe the presence and severity of incontinence. Involuntary leakage of large amounts of barium is a sign of incontinence.

(VI) Anal manometry

It can detect abnormalities in the internal and external sphincters and puborectalis muscles. Anorectal inhibition reflex, understanding of its basal pressure, systolic pressure and rectal distension tolerance capacity. Incontinent patients have lower anal canal basal and systolic pressures, internal sphincter relaxation reflex disappears, and the rectal sensory distension tolerance capacity decreases.

(VII) Electromyography measurement

It can measure the functional range of the sphincter and determine the degree of damage and recovery of voluntary and involuntary muscles and their nerves.