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Prolapsed rectum: living with it versus surgery

Posted by ejoy @ejoy, Apr 24, 2023

In December of 2018 I had a full hysterectomy at the recommendation of my GYN. That is another story but important to this post. In 2019 I started having a bulge protrude from my rectum and I thought it was a hemorrhoid. I started self treatment to no avail. I finally saw a GI doctor and was told I had a prolapsed rectum. I had multiple tests performed on my bladder and rectum (just awful) which were all normal. They could not see any link between the hysterectomy and my current issue. (This was the same healthcare system so I am guessing it was in their best interest not to find a link.)

So my question is does any other member have this condition and what is / was your solution? The surgery sounds horrible, the doctor said it is sometimes not 100% effective. 95% of the time it will retract when urinating or having a bowel movement. My greatest frustration is when taking long walks or hiking it and any fecal matter starts coming out.

I am 68 yo and don’t know whether to live with it and only do surgery if it becomes 0% retractable, which could mean being at an advanced age and not healing as well, or do the surgery now while in good health and healing would be easier.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

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pichulita | @pichulita | Oct 10, 2025

My first proctologist diagnosed me with rectal prolapse about eight years ago. After a horrible flareup of lymphocytic colitis last year, everything was bulging out of my rectum, and it was quite uncomfortable. Once I was on the road to recovery, I went to my present proctologist who examined me thoroughly and said it was not prolapse, it was hemorrhoids.He did a staple hemorrhoidoplexy surgery in March and it was a piece of cake. There was absolutely no discomfort at all, and I have been very pleased with the results. He uses a piece of equipment to test my rectal muscles which are quite lax. He is now giving me 6 treatments on a Fontana Wave seat once a week to strengthen my rectal muscles and there’s little improvement so he’ll have to extend the number of treatments on this chair. This proctologist has been a God send.

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 10, 2025
In reply to @pichulita "My first proctologist diagnosed me with rectal prolapse about eight years ago. After a horrible flareup..." + (show)
Profile picture for pichulita @pichulita

My first proctologist diagnosed me with rectal prolapse about eight years ago. After a horrible flareup of lymphocytic colitis last year, everything was bulging out of my rectum, and it was quite uncomfortable. Once I was on the road to recovery, I went to my present proctologist who examined me thoroughly and said it was not prolapse, it was hemorrhoids.He did a staple hemorrhoidoplexy surgery in March and it was a piece of cake. There was absolutely no discomfort at all, and I have been very pleased with the results. He uses a piece of equipment to test my rectal muscles which are quite lax. He is now giving me 6 treatments on a Fontana Wave seat once a week to strengthen my rectal muscles and there’s little improvement so he’ll have to extend the number of treatments on this chair. This proctologist has been a God send.

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@pichulita - it does sound like this proctologist has been super helpful in sorting out your diagnosis, solving your hemorrhoids and trying to get your rectal muscles tightened up.

I wanted to mention, since you talked about lymphocytic colitis, that you might consider following this newer group on Mayo Clinic Connect:

- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/

There are also some good discussions you might check out, if you've not already, on lymphocytic colitis specifically:

- Lymphocytic Colitis: What is remission? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-remission/

- microscopic (lymphocytic) colitis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/microscopic-lymphocytic-colitis/

- Your tips on how to live with Lymphocytic Colitis/Collagenous Colitis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lymphocitic-cholitis/

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ina9 | @ina9 | Jul 26 10:10pm
In reply to @ejoy "@ina9 Catalina, I did have the surgery and in a post dated recently I shared that..." + (show)
Profile picture for ejoy @ejoy

@ina9 Catalina, I did have the surgery and in a post dated recently I shared that my “fix” failed. It was done by suspension, I now will have to have another try using mesh. The colorectal surgeon feels this failure may be due to bladder involvement, so we are going down that path now.
As far as diet and supplements…my husband and I eat a whole food, 98% plant based diet. Minimal salt, sugar, oil (no seed oils). We occasionally have salmon, and I occasionally will have chicken. I take supplements due to age, diet, and inherent nutritional or genetic deficiencies. I am an active 70 yo, in good health with no chronic diseases. I have recently learned I have food sensitivities. Dairy causes head congestion and coughing, gluten/wheat causes anxiety. I hope this answered your question. I wish you the best of luck along this journey.

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@ejoy
Hi Erin,
Today I read your post from October 9, 2025. Did you have the second surgery with the mesh? Is that for rectocele and cystocele repair?
I went to my colorectal surgeon yesterday after doing a defecography on a commode. He advised me not to have surgery. I am so upset that for the rest of my life I have to manually pass stool 2 or 3 times a day. Thank you for sharing your feedback on October 9, 2025. Please let me know how are you doing when you have a moment!

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