Rectocele

Have you been checked for prolapsed bladder, which may have caused the rectum to get pushed into the vaginal wall?

HI,. I am a women'ts health physical therapist. Often times seeing a physical therapist specially trained in women's health can greatly reduce your symptoms, both for the bladder and the rectoceole. You may not be able to avoid surgery, but it will decrease your symptoms. Just remember a general physical therapist does not have enough training to fully address your problem. Ask your doctor for a referral to a women's health physical therapist. If they do not know any, you can go to the women's health section of the american physical therapy association's web page and find a clinician near you. Best of luck.

I have both rectocele and cystocele and went to a women's physical therapist as my gyno doctor prescribed. I worked with the PT for about 5 months. I liked the help but even though I have been doing the prescribed exercises for about 8 months I still have the vaginal protrusion problem every day. Have other women on this site had surgery to correct this? I have seen the notices on TV regarding a class-action lawsuit being filed regarding problems with the mesh sling used in these types of surgeries. Are there other repair alternatives out there?

Thank you for your response. I have, indeed, found a women's health physical therapist and will be starting sessions next week. My doctor and I agreed that I don't have to have surgery now.

Hi, I am scheduled for a rectocele repair and a cystocele repair surgery December 28, 2011. The information my surgeon gave me says "cystocele can be done using your own tissue, or using a combination of your tissue and a Mesh." My surgeon will be using regional anesthesia so I can be awakened to help him adjust as I am pushing. This is only an overnight stay and even though I am nervous about this upcoming event I am also tired of the problems associated with these conditions. I have been told the sling 'may disolve' but the surgeons assistant was very helpful. She told me of severe conditions she has seen and told me that in the years she has worked for this surgeon NOT ONE WOMAN has complained of pain or said they were not glad they did it. It sure won't get better with age. Is exercise really going to work, I already do Kegal and medications, over the counter laxatives do not seem to work very well and I get awful cramps from them. I have been prescribed Polyethylene Glycol 3350 NF Powder Laxative which does not cause cramps and doesn't taste awful. I works too, maybe too well. I will let you know AFTER the surgery what I have to say but my quality of life is very important to me. I know this has gotten rather long but I was so happy to find this feedback sharing. I have been told that my causes were probably a combination of age, menopause, hysterectomy, large fibroid tumors, obesity and can be caused by either multiple births or large babies. I have them all, one thing I can note is that the 'sling' can be done with a hystorectomy. I wish you the best, maybe something here helped you and I can say that the surgeon told me "Surprisingly, most women say they feel much better right after surgery than before." So wish me luck and I will report back after my surgery. Thank you for bringing this issue to light!

Hello, It's been years since your post. I have, though I haven't been diagnosed yet, a rectocele. I'll be seeing a specialist soon. My GI Dr. will not do a COLONOSCOPY until I see someone. I've only told him my situation, he hasn't done an exam.

I'm wondering if you could tell what surgery you had, did it help, and are you glad you did it, after all these years have there been any problems, or returning symptoms?

Thanks

@annmae first off I know nothing about the topics in this discussion. I follow the Kidney & Bladder Group for other reasons. But I might have something to offer that could be helpful for you. Since you are looking for a response from a member that posted 13 years ago, you could repost using an @ mention. This is using the members handle. It will be highlighted in blue and the member could get a notification that you are reaching out to her. You can also click on her handle in the old post and it should bring up an option to send her a personal message. Either of these could help you get in contact with her if she is no longer following Mayo Clinic Connect. Hope that helps.

@ladybodyparts

Hello, It's been years since your post. I have, though I haven't been diagnosed yet, a rectocele. I'll be seeing a specialist soon. My GI Dr. will not attempt an extremely needed Colonoscopy until I see someone.

I had a visit with s Uro/Gyn specialist, who was retiring the next day, she referred me to a specialist with very high marks, I see him tomorrow! The 1st Dr. diagnosed Cystoceole and Rectoceole. I don't have bladder issues yet, other than occasional leaks w/sneezing or a cough. Rectoceole wasn't full on during her exam in a birthing chair. My colon was not full. When it is there's practically no room inside the vaginal canal. I almost needed to call 911 a few nights ago because I was on the verge of fainting.

I'm wondering if you could tell:
what type of surgery, did it help?
are glad you had the surgery?
did you go somewhere in the DC/VA area?

after all these years have there been any problems or returning symptoms?

Thanks,
Annmae

At the age of 49, I had surgery for cystocele & rectocele. It worked for many years. I am now 82 and the rectocele has returned. Gyno I see never said anything about surgery, exercises, didn’t seem to be too concerned. However, I suffer with constipation and seem to live on stool softeners and prunes. It is an on going issue. I have increased my fluids. Noting seems to help. I am lost. No one seems to be concerned.