Surrounding your internal anal sphincter muscle is your external anal sphincter muscle, which is under voluntary control when you bear down, this is the muscle that you are using to generate momentum for defecation. This is not to say that you shouldn't strain at all when having a bowel movement. By consciously straining to eliminate stools, you can actually disrupt the natural activity of your internal anal sphincter muscle.

Your internal anal sphincter muscle is entirely involuntary, meaning that it works without your conscious input. Never a comfortable topic to discuss, but it's good to have some idea of what to try if you or a loved one ever experiences hardened stool that won't come out on its own.įirst, it's vital to remember that whenever you have the urge to have a bowel movement, it's best that you relax rather than try to force stool out with exertion.Ĭonscious relaxation is necessary for optimal function of your internal anal sphincter muscle, which is a ring of smooth muscle that helps keep your anal sphincter closed when you're not having a bowel movement, and also helps push stools out during defecation.