What are the Symptoms of a Weak Sphincter Muscle?

Identifying the Symptoms of a Weak Sphincter Muscle

A sphincter muscle comprises circular bands of muscle fibres that exert functions of a muscle acting as a valve that opens or closes different passages throughout the body. By controlling the enactment, the sphincter muscles play an essential role in the flow of urine, stool, and digestive juices. Sphincters can be found in various sites, including the urinary tract (urinary sphincter), anus (anal sphincter), digestive tract (oesophagal and pyloric sphincters), even the eye (pupil sphincter).

Weakness in the sphincter muscle may stir up problems concerning incontinence, digestion, and many more. Read on to know more.

What Symptoms Indicate a Weak Sphincter Muscle?

A weak sphincter muscle often leads to a loss of control over bodily functions, and the severity of the problem varies depending on the cause and extent of the weakness.

Urinary Sphincter Weakness Symptoms:

• Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence) - leakage while coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising
• Frequent urination or a sudden urge to urinate
• Inability to hold urine or leak urine (urge incontinence)
• Poor urinary control, low urinary force from starting to stopping
• Night-time urination (also called nocturia)

Anal Sphincter Weakness Symptoms:

• Loss of bowel control (faecal incontinence)
• Passing stool (accidentally)
• It cannot be emptied completely
• Gas passing too frequently or too much
• Senses incomplete emptying

These symptoms deeply affect the physical and emotional well-being of the afflicted, affecting work and social life and leading to depression.

What Causes and Risk Factors Contribute to Sphincter Muscle Weakness?

The sphincter muscles could weaken due to many neuromuscular, structural, or lifestyle-related causes, such as the following:

• Ageing: The natural wear and tear of muscle and nerve function impinges on muscle strength and makes it even more vulnerable in older people, particularly those over 60.
• Childbirth or trauma to the pelvis: Child delivery through the vagina (also called vaginal delivery) or surgical procedures on the pelvic floor may stretch or injure sphincter muscles.
• Neurological diseases: Hence, any lesions disrupting nerve control to the sphincter may create such symptoms as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, or stroke.
• Surgery of the prostate or rectum: The sphincters may get damaged following surgical procedures such as prostatectomy and hemorrhoidectomy.
• Obesity: Increased abdominal pressure on the muscles may lead to strain and leakage.
• Chronic constipation or diarrhoea: In the long term, straining to have stool due to constipation may weaken the anal sphincter.
• Radiation: The radiation given in pelvic cancers may damage tissues and cause fibrosis, eventually leading to incontinence.

How Is a Weak Sphincter Diagnosed and Treated?

Doctors commonly perform:

• Physical examination and assessing the symptoms
• Urodynamic testing, if urinary incontinence is suspected
• Anorectal manometry (to measure anal sphincter pressure)
• Endoanal ultrasound (to visualize muscle structure)
• MRI or pelvic imaging (complex cases)

How Is a Weak Sphincter Treated?

The treatment method is dependent on the severity, aetiology, and lifestyle of the patient:

Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels): Exercising regularly helps strengthen both urinary and anal sphincter muscles.

Biofeedback therapy: It promotes better control of pelvic muscles using electronic monitoring intervention.

Medications

• Anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists (for urinary incontinence)
• Loperamide (for bowel control)
• Topical treatments for any irritation or infection

Surgical options

• Artificial urinary sphincter implant
• Sphincteroplasty (muscle repair surgery)
• Sacral nerve stimulation for nerve-related incontinence

Lifestyle modifications

• Weight control
• A prompted voiding schedule
• A high-fiber diet to prevent constipation

Early intervention gives better results. If you have had leakage or loss of control for more than a couple of days, seek a special evaluation. Being diagnosed and treated early can help build confidence and restore daily function.