Can you reverse a rectocele?

Yes! Pelvic organ prolapse can be treated and improve without surgery in some women. Prolapse results when the pelvic floor tissues are overstretched and weakened, just like overstretching a spring. Your pelvic floor muscles should work to help support your pelvic organs (i.e. bladder, uterus and rectum).

Can you feel a rectocele with your finger?

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.

What should you not do with a rectocele?

Lifestyle and home remedies

• Perform Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles and support the weakened fascia.
• Avoid constipation by eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Avoid bearing down to move your bowels.
• Avoid heavy lifting.
• Control coughing.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese.

Can Kegels fix a rectocele?

Your doctor might recommend: Observation. If your posterior vaginal prolapse causes few or no symptoms, simple self-care measures — such as performing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles — may provide relief.

How can I stop my rectocele getting worse?

Reduce your risk of prolapse worsening with these 12 tips:

1. Regular Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)
2. ‘The Knack’ Exercise Technique.
3. Support Pessary.
4. Pelvic Floor Safe Exercises.
5. Bowel Management to Avoid Straining.
6. Body Weight Management.
7. Managing Coughing.
8. Allergy Treatment.

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.

How long will rectocele repair last?

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.

How painful is rectocele repair?

The most common postoperative symptom after rectocele repair is rectal pressure and discomfort. This should resolve over several weeks as the tissue heals. The success for this procedure to correct the bulge is over 80-90 percent depending on the technique used.

What is a rectocele?

A rectocele, a type of posterior vaginal prolapse, develops when the tissues between the rectum and vagina weaken, causing the rectum to bulge into the vagina. Symptoms of a rectocele may include pelvic, vaginal and rectal pressure.

What does a rectocele feel like?

A soft bulge of tissue that can be felt in the vagina (or protrudes outside of the body) Women with a rectocele may also have a secondary prolapse of the other vaginal walls and nearby organs, including the bladder or uterus. At your appointment, your doctor will discuss your symptoms and review your medical history with you.

What happens at an appointment to diagnose a rectocele?

At your appointment, your doctor will discuss your symptoms and review your medical history with you. The doctor will then perform a physical exam to determine the extent of the rectocele and identify any secondary prolapses, if present. Rarely, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may also be performed.

When is rectocele repair necessary?

Your doctor may recommend rectocele repair if other treatment methods have not improved your symptoms. 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.