The present invention provides methods for treating fecal incontinence by administering to a subject in need thereof compositions comprising oxymetazoline as an active ingredient. The present invention further provides kits comprising compositions of oxymetazoline suitable for topical application, for the treatment of fecal incontinence. The present invention is based in part on the unexpected increase In resting anal pressure obtained upon local administration of relatively low concentrations of oxymetazloine. Surprisingly, the inventors of the present invention have found that unlike other a adrenergic agonists, specifically, pheynilephnne, which either have a short term effect or does not exhibit a pronounced effect on a resting anal pressure, local administration of oxymetazoline provides a long term pronounced increase of the resting anal pressure.
