Rectocele

What is a rectocele?

Straight is the descent of the vaginal canal. Usually, the rectocele is due to the weakening of muscles that form the pelvic floor and may be accompanied by cystocele (bladder drop) and uterine prolapse (descent of the uterus), diseases that are also included in the genital prolapse. However, the rectocele may also exist without these other problems. Even men can develop, although not very common (in his case, the decrease of the rectum is to the anus).

What are the symptoms?

Although not all rectoceles causing symptoms, the most common are:

• Sensation of a lump in the vagina
• Pain during sex
• Constipation, difficult to evacuate
• Pelvic pressure

What are its causes?

The weakening or rupture of the pelvic floor is the main cause of rectocele. Pregnancy, childbirth or the decrease in estrogen that occurs during menopause can weaken or break the muscles supporting the pelvic organs. Rectocele may also contribute to constipation or chronic coughing. It is a problem most common in women who have reached menopause, but can also occur in young or women who have not had children.

What is the right treatment?

The latest technologies allow to solve the rectocele with a simple intervention by laparoscopy, minimally invasive surgery allows the surgeon to reconstruct the pelvic floor with the help of a camcorder. Small incisions are made in the abdominal cavity of the patient and the surgeon can work through these holes, thanks to the images emitted by the camera.

The operation consists in fixing a synthetic mesh (polypropylene) to secure the rectum that has fallen.

An intervention of this type requires a minimum hospital stay of 24-48 hours, and after a week the patient can lead normal lives.