Accidental bowel leakage, abbreviated ABL, refers to the unwanted loss of solid or liquid stool or mucus from the anus. It is also called fecal incontinence or bowel incontinence. Bowel leakage is more likely to occur with diarrhea or loose, watery stools because it is much harder for the pelvic floor muscles and anal sphincters to control stool of that consistency.
There are 2 main types of ABL.
![](img/img-accidental-leakage@2x.png)
There are several possible causes of ABL.