Untreated rectal prolapse can lead to several possible complications, including: Fecal incontinence. As your anal muscles continue to stretch, you may have increased difficulty holding in gas and poop. Of those with rectal prolapse, 50% to 75% of people report this complication.
While rectal prolapse may cause pain, it's rarely a medical emergency. Rectal prolapse is sometimes treated with stool softeners, suppositories and other medicines. But surgery is usually needed to treat rectal prolapse.
Rectal prolapse is when part of the rectum bulges out of the anus. At first, a prolapse may happen only after a bowel movement. The prolapsed part of the rectum may then slip back through the anal canal on its own. Over time, the prolapse may become more severe and may need surgery.
It can be the womb (uterus), bowel, bladder or top of the vagina. A prolapse is not life threatening, but it can cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms can usually be improved with pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes, but sometimes medical treatment is needed.
If it's not causing bothersome symptoms, you may be able to live for some time with rectal prolapse, taking care of it at home. Taking care of it means pushing your rectum back inside manually.
Anal surgery – under anaesthesia, the surgeon gently pulls out the prolapsed bowel through the anus. The prolapsed section of bowel is usually removed and the structural damage repaired. The bowel is rejoined and returned back through the anus to restore normal bowel function and appearance.
Degrees of uterine prolapse
Stage I – the uterus is in the upper half of the vagina. Stage II – the uterus has descended nearly to the opening of the vagina. Stage III – the uterus protrudes out of the vagina. Stage IV – the uterus is completely out of the vagina.
Symptoms of rectal prolapse. If you have a rectal prolapse, the most obvious symptom is having a lump or swelling coming out of your anus. At first, you may only notice this after you've had a poo – it may go away when you stand up. But if your prolapse gets worse, it may also happen when you strain.
This surgery is usually for women with a stage three or stage four prolapse or who have already had a hysterectomy. It may also be an option for younger women with a prolapsed uterus that don't want to have a hysterectomy.
Conditions and activities that can cause or contribute to small bowel prolapse or other types of prolapse include: Pregnancy and childbirth. Chronic constipation or straining with bowel movements. Chronic cough or bronchitis.
Having a prolapse can indeed make you feel “not in full health, or sick.” Here are some examples: Issues with incontinence or constipation: If your prolapse causes incontinence (leaking urine or feces), you may feel embarrassed and worried about going out.
Pelvic organ prolapse doesn't necessarily get worse over time, and you may not need treatment if the symptoms are not affecting your daily life. Nonsurgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse can reduce the pain and pressure of mild-to-moderate prolapse and preserve fertility if the uterus is prolapsed.
Recovery at home
You might need to keep taking your pain medicines and laxatives when you go home. Recovery will be different for everyone, and can take 4 to 6 weeks.
If the muscles of the rectum are not as elastic as they should be, excess stool that builds up can leak out. Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease) can also affect the rectum's ability to stretch. The scars resulting from surgery and radiation therapy can also stiffen the muscles of the rectum.
Uterine prolapse can disrupt normal activities and be uncomfortable. Very mild cases may not require treatment or cause any discomfort. However, severe cases may make it difficult to pee or have a normal bowel movement.
Signs of worsening pelvic organ prolapse include: Pressure or a bulging sensation in the vagina that gets worse as the day goes on. Difficulty urinating. Lower back pain.
Seek medical care immediately if you have any of the following: Obstruction or difficulty in urination and/or bowel movement. Complete uterine prolapse (your uterus comes out of your vagina)
When can I go home after pelvic organ prolapse surgery? You'll usually need to stay in hospital overnight or for a few days. Most women can go home once their bladder is emptying well.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.
Colonoscopy or anoscopy should be performed in patients who present with rectal prolapse to ensure there is no mass or polyp constituting a lead point for intussusception with rectal prolapse.
If these muscles become too loose or sustain damage, the organs they support shift out of place. With mild cases of POP, your organs may drop. In more severe cases, they may extend outside your vagina and cause a bulge.
For some women, their prolapse gets worse over time. For others, their prolapse will stay the same with conservative treatment options.
Posterior Wall Prolapse (Rectocele or Enterocele)
Symptoms typically include: A bulge sensation. Problems having a bowel movement such as straining more with bowel movements and the feeling of not completely emptying the bowels. The need to put your finger in or around the vagina or rectum to help empty bowels.