what is the treatment for a rectocyle

Procedures

A surgical procedure called posterior colporrhaphy is commonly used to repair rectoceles. During the procedure, your provider removes damaged tissue that's no longer supporting your pelvic …

Therapy

Moderate to severe cases are often treated with a vaginal pessary (a support device inserted into the vagina) or rectocele repair (a minimally invasive surgical procedure). Rectocele Repair Your …

What is the treatment for a rectocele?

Most symptoms of rectocele can be resolved with medical management, such as consuming more fiber and drinking more water to avoid constipation, and doing exercises to strengthen …

How can biofeedback help treat a rectocele?

 · Estrogen helps keep your pelvic muscles strong and may prevent your rectocele from getting worse. A pessary is a plastic or rubber ring that is placed inside your vagina. This …

Can a rectocele be repaired by a colonic surgeon?

Can you fix a rectocele without surgery?

The vast majority of a patient's symptoms associated with a rectocele can be managed effectively without surgery. It is very important to have a good bowel regimen in order to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. A high fiber diet of 25+ grams per day can help with this goal.

Is rectocele repair major surgery?

Rectocele repair is a major surgery. A doctor will often suggest it only after other treatments have failed to correct your problem.

What happens if rectocele is not treated?

If a rectocele is left untreated, the following complications may occur: Pressure or discomfort in the pelvic area. Constipation. Leakage of bowel movements (incontinence)

How long does it take to recover from a rectocele repair?

Typical recovery for the procedure is 2-3 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to make you feel more comfortable. You can expect to resume normal physical activity within hours of your procedure. But you should not have sex until 6 weeks after surgery.

How serious is a rectocele?

A rectocele may not cause symptoms. Or, you may notice a bulge in your vagina when you strain or bear down during a bowel movement. You may feel pressure, have pain during sex, or have trouble passing stool. A rectocele usually does not cause serious health problems.

How do you poop after rectocele surgery?

The Best Position for Your Bowel Movement After Prolapse SurgerySit on the toilet seat (never hover)Place your feet flat on the floor.Rest your hands or forearms on your thighs to support your trunk.Lean your trunk forwards.Keep the inward curve in your lower back during emptying (see bowel emptying position above)

What kind of doctor treats a rectocele?

This is the traditional approach to rectocele repair by urologists and gynecologists. A rectocele can also be repaired by a colorectal surgeon through a transanal repair. The rectocele is reached through the anus.

What does a rectocele feel like to touch?

What does a rectocele feel like to touch? Your rectocele may be so slight that you can't feel it. If the prolapse is more pronounced, it may feel like a bulge or lump in the back wall of your vagina. You can insert a (clean) finger or two to feel for a rectocele.

How do doctors check for rectocele?

During a digital rectal exam, a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum. By doing this, a physician can feel for any abnormalities or check for mucus or bleeding in the area. If there is a rectocele, the muscles in the wall of the rectum that is closest to the vagina may feel weaker.

What are the risks of rectocele surgery?

Risks / Benefits Infection. Pain during sexual intercourse. Development of a fistula (an open channel) between the vagina and rectum. Recurrence of the rectocele.

When can I go back to work after rectocele surgery?

It depends on what kind of surgery you've had, how you feel, and what type of job you do. If you work in an office, you can go back after about three weeks. If your job is more strenuous, it could take up to 12 weeks.

How long does a Delorme's procedure take?

The entire procedure usually takes around 60 minutes.

How do you prepare for rectocele surgery?

You may be asked to take an enema or medicine to clean out your bowel the day before surgery. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea or water.

How to repair a rectocele?

A rectocele can also be repaired by a colorectal surgeon through a transanal repair. The rectocele is reached through the anus. This method is preferred by many colorectal surgeons because it allows for correction of problems in the anal or rectal area, in addition to repairing the rectocele.

What does rectocele mean?

A sense of bulging or fullness in your vagina. Problems with sexual intercourse. The need to manually reduce the bulge in your vagina to have a bowel movement. A rectocele should be treated only if your symptoms interfere with your quality of life.

How to stop bowel movement?

These methods include: Avoiding constipation by following a high-fiber diet (more than 25 grams of fiber per day) and drinking 6 to 8 10-ounce glasses of water per day. Avoiding straining during bowel movements and long periods of sitting on the toilet. Using stool softeners if needed.

How to prevent constipation from bowel movements?

Strategies include: Avoid constipation by following a high-fiber diet (more than 25 grams of fiber per day) and drinking six to eight 10-ounce glasses of water per day. Avoid straining during bowel movements and long periods of sitting on the toilet. Use stool softeners if needed.

What is the most common surgical repair?

The most common surgical repair is a transvaginal rectocele repair , also called a posterior repair. The rectocele is reached through the vagina. It offers the chance to correct not only the rectocele but a thinned perineum and widened vaginal opening.

How long does it take to repair a pelvic floor?

In most cases, surgery is done under general anesthesia and takes about one hour. The most common surgical repair is a transvaginal rectocele repair, also called a posterior repair.

Can rectocele be treated?

Both non-surgical and surgical options are used to treat a rectocele. You should have a thorough physical exam and talk with your provider before deciding on the best treatment.

What is a rectocele?

A rectocele is a long-term condition that does not heal on its own. It may remain a minor problem or become larger and more problematic with time.

What is it called when a rectum bulges?

Sometimes, an area of this wall gets weak, and part of the rectum bulges into the vagina. This bulge is called a rectocele. The problem usually develops after the wall is damaged during a vaginal delivery. The bulge may occur after a vaginal delivery, but symptoms may not develop until later in life. Rectoceles are more commonly seen in older women ...

What to do if you have a bulge in your vagina?

Call your doctor promptly if you discover an abnormal bulge in the wall of your vagina, or if you suddenly develop severe rectal pressure, pain or bleeding. Call your doctor for an appointment if you suffer from chronic constipation, pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, or any difficulty passing stool.

Can rectoceles cause symptoms?

Because small rectoceles often do not cause any symptoms, it is difficult for health experts to determine exactly how often they occur. As few as 20%, or as many as 80% of adult women may be affected, but rectoceles are most commonly seen in older women who have had multiple vaginal deliveries. In 1 recent study of 125 women in ...

Can kegels help with rectocele?

Some health experts believe that Kegel exercises can either help to prevent a rectocele or relieve some of its symptoms . Kegel exercises are muscle-strengthening maneuvers that help to tighten the tissues around the vagina, but they have not been proven to prevent rectoceles.

Can a rectocele develop after an episiotomy?

Now, however, there is some evidence that rectoceles may develop near healed episiotomies.

Can a small rectocele cause a vaginal bulge?

Symptoms. A small rectocele may not cause any symptoms, especially if it bulges less than 2 centimeters (less than 1 inch) into the vagina. However, larger rectoceles can trigger a variety of rectal and vaginal complaints, including: A feeling that the rectum has not emptied completely after a bowel movement.

What is the purpose of rectocele repair?

The goal of rectocele repair is to strengthen the wall between the vagina and rectum. In this surgical procedure, the doctor will make an incision into the back wall of the vagina. The layers under the vaginal wall are then sutured together in such a way as to tighten the tissues and reinforce the strength of the wall.

What are the symptoms of rectocele?

Symptoms of a rectocele may include pelvic, vaginal and rectal pressure. Factors that may increase your risk of developing a rectocele include giving birth vaginally, age, obesity and chronic constipation. Mild cases of rectocele are often improved with nonsurgical therapies, such as bowel training. If symptoms are particularly problematic, your ...

What organs do rectoceles affect?

Women with a rectocele may also have a secondary prolapse of the other vaginal walls and nearby organs, including the bladder or uterus.

Is a rectocele the same as a rectal prolapse?

A rectocele is not the same thing as rectal prolapse.

Can rectocele be repaired?

Mild cases of rectocele are often improved with nonsurgical therapies, such as bowel training. If symptoms are particularly problematic, your doctor may recommend surgical repair.

How to get rid of rectocele?

Follow a high-fiber diet and drink six to eight 10-ounce glasses of water daily so that your digestive system forms softer, bulkier stools that you can pass easily. That will reduce your risk for having a symptomatic rectocele.

Can a rectocele be a pelvic bulge?

A rectocele may occur on its own or as part of a generalized weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Other pelvic organs such as the bladder (cystocele) and the small intestine (enterocele), can bulge into the vagina, leading to similar symptoms as a rectocele.

What hormones are used to treat rectocele?

Ask your healthcare provider for more information about biofeedback. Estrogen is a hormone that may be taken as a pill, or applied as a vaginal cream. Estrogen helps keep your pelvic muscles strong and may prevent your rectocele from getting worse.

What increases the risk of rectocele?

What increases my risk for a rectocele? Pregnancy and childbirth. Lower estrogen levels from older age or menopause. Anything that strains your pelvic muscles, such as obesity, chronic constipation or straining during bowel movements, severe coughing, or lifting heavy objects.

How to get rid of a swollen colon?

Ask him or her to help you create a weight loss plan if you are overweight. He or she can also help you create an exercise program. Exercise helps your bowels work better and decreases pressure inside your colon.

How to get rid of bloating and gas in colon?

This helps bowel movements pass more quickly through your colon. Slowly add fiber into your diet to avoid bloating, stomach pain, and gas. Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your healthcare provider for a healthy weight for you.

How to get rid of pelvic floor pain?

These exercises can help your pelvic floor muscles get stronger. Tighten the muscles of your pelvis (the muscles you use to stop urinating). Hold the muscles tight for 5 seconds, then relax for 5 seconds.

How to prevent constipation from bowel movement?

Prevent constipation by drinking plenty of liquids and eating foods high in fiber. Ask how much liquid to drink every day. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Do Kegel exercises regularly.

What test is used to check the size and location of a rectocele?

You may also need any of the following tests: A pelvic exam is used to check the size and location of a rectocele. Your healthcare provider will use a speculum to widen your vagina. Then you will strain or push down like you are having a bowel movement.

What is the treatment for rectocele?

The treatment of rectocele (also known as posterior vaginal prolapse) depends on the severity of its symptoms, and surgery is the only definitive treatment to fix it.

What tests are done to determine the size of the rectocele?

The doctor will order a few tests that include: Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ): This will help the doctor know the size of the rectocele. Defecography: This is a special X-ray series that shows the movements of the pelvic muscles while you defecate.

What exercises strengthen pelvic muscles?

Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, strengthen your pelvic muscles. Here is how you can do them:

How to stop constipation from a swollen bowel?

Avoid heavy lifting. Control coughing (you can use over the counter cough suppressants) Do pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises. A high- fiber (25 grams/day) diet is a healthy option that helps in treating constipation as well as is useful in controlling weight gain.

Can a small rectocele cause symptoms?

A small rectocele usually causes no signs or symptoms. Over time, you may experience:

Does a rectocele heal on its own?

A rectocele does not heal on its own. It requires medical therapy and/or surgical treatment. If left untreated, it can worsen the existing symptoms and affect your quality of life greatly. However, not everyone will need immediate surgery. The reasons for which you need surgery for rectocele are:

Why is surgery needed for rectocele?

Surgery may be needed if the rectocele doesn’t respond to other treatments and is causing symptoms. Depending on individual factors, such as the severity of the rectocele and the presence of other prolapsed structures, the operation can be performed in different ways, including:

What are the symptoms of rectocele?

Symptoms of rectocele. The symptoms of rectocele may be vaginal, rectal or both, and can include: A sensation of pressure within the pelvis. The feeling that something is falling down or falling out within the pelvis. Symptoms worsened by standing up and eased by lying down . Lower-abdominal pain. Lower-back pain.

When to take out vaginal pack?

If you have a vaginal pack, this will be taken out later the same day or the day after surgery.

How to help yourself pass a bowel motion?

Instruction on how to help yourself to pass a bowel motion; for example, you may be advised to gently press a finger against the rear wall of the vagina while toileting. Don’t strain on the toilet. Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. Pelvic floor (‘Kegel’) exercises.

Does a rectocele need medical attention?

Generally speaking, a rectocele with no obvious symptoms doesn’t need medical treatment, but it is wise to pay attention to diet and other lifestyle factors that contribute to constipation. Treatment options may include:

Can rectoceles occur by itself?

A rectocele sometimes occurs by itself. In other cases, the woman may also have other problems including: Cystocele – the bladder protrudes into the vagina. Enterocele – the small intestines push down into the vagina. Uterine prolapse – the cervix and uterus drop down into the vagina and may protrude out of the vaginal opening.

What is the term for a surgical cut made to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth?

Tearing during childbirth, particularly if the tear extended from the vagina to the anus. Episiotomy (a surgical cut made to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth to avoid injury to mother and baby), particularly if the cut extends to the anus. Hysterectomy.

What is the procedure to remove a rectocele?

The surgical procedure for rectocele removal is called posterior colporrhaphy which removes the herniated bowel from the wall of the vagina. ...

How long does it take for bowel movements to heal after rectocele surgery?

These symptoms typically resolve in a couple weeks once the tissues have healed. Please speak with your doctor for more information on post-op expectations.

How long does it take for a syringe to heal?

The incisions made at the repair sight will typically heal in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Please speak with your doctor for more information on recovery expectations. Post-operation, you should be able to move about, carefully, within a few hours after your surgery.

How is a tear sight procedure performed?

The procedure is typically performed by a surgeon making a small incision along the posterior vaginal wall. Excess tissue along the herniation is removed and stitches are sewn around the tear sight. If the doctor notices any other forms of pelvic organ prolapse, he may resolve those issues as well during the procedure.

Can rectocele be surgically treated?

In many cases, rectocele occurs alongside other pelvic organ related conditions. Treatment is designed to help reduce symptoms and heal any herniations, te ars, or prolapses. Treatments include both surgical and non-surgical options. Although surgery for rectocele is often rare, in severe cases surgery may be your best option.

Can rectocele cause pelvic pain?

Symptoms of rectocele can become quite uncomfortable and painful over time. If left untreated, rectocele can lead to symptoms such as: the feeling of increased pressure or protrusion in the vagina or rectum, inability to defecate or feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels, pelvic pain, and/or painful sex.

Can you have a rectocele without surgery?

Often, yes. As with many forms of pelvic floor prolapse, rectocele is treatable without the need of surgery. Various forms of exercise, pelvic floor therapy, dietary restrictions or additions, staying hydrated, and practicing proper core and pelvic floor engagement techniques are highly beneficial for treating rectocele. Surgical procedures should always be a last resort when dealing with core or pelvic floor related issues. Some of the best advice I give to my clients regarding their health includes practicing proper breathing mechanics and good posture as well as learning how to have a reflexive core and pelvic floor to support their daily activities.

What Is A Rectocele?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Expected Duration

Prevention

Treatment

When to Call A Professional

Further Information