Patient Information
Rectocele
What is a Rectocele?
A rectocoele is a pocket or bulge of the front wall of the rectum into the vagina. The rectal wall may become thin and weaker and it may balloon out into the vagina when going to the toilet to pass a bowel motion.
What are the symptoms?
These may be vaginal or rectal. Vaginal symptoms include a vaginal bulge, the feeling of a mass in the vagina, pain with intercourse or vaginal prolapse.
Rectal symptoms include constipation, and difficulty in emptying the bowels with associated straining.
Treatment
Rectocoeles that do not cause many symptoms do not need to be treated. In general, avoid constipation by eating a high fibre diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Adding a stool bulking agent and using a foot stool is helpful.
If symptoms persist even with medical therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy is useful and then surgical repair may be indicated.
