Rectocele

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Rectocele

A rectocele () results from a tear in the rectovaginal septum (which is normally a tough fibrous sheet like divider between the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the Gastrointestinal tract in others, terminating in the anus....
and vagina

Vagina

The vagina is a fibromuscular cylinder tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles....
). Rectal tissue bulges through this tear, into the vagina, as a hernia. There are two main causes of this tear: childbirth and hysterectomy.

cases may simply produce a sense of pressure or protrusion within the vagina, and the occasional feeling that the rectum has not been completely emptied after a bowel movement.

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Encyclopedia

A rectocele () results from a tear in the rectovaginal septum (which is normally a tough fibrous sheet like divider between the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the Gastrointestinal tract in others, terminating in the anus....
and vagina

Vagina

Symptoms of rectocele

Mild cases may simply produce a sense of pressure or protrusion within the vagina, and the occasional feeling that the rectum has not been completely emptied after a bowel movement. Moderate cases may involve difficulty passing stool

Feces

Feces, faeces, or f?ces is a waste product from an animal's gastrointestinal tract expelled through the anus during defecation....
(because the attempt to evacuate pushes the stool into the rectocele instead of out through the anus

Anus

The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to expel feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest, such as coprolite ; food material after all the nutrients have b...
), discomfort or pain during evacuation or intercourse, constipation

Constipation

Constipation, costiveness, or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system in which a person experiences hard feces that are difficult to expel....
, and a general sensation that something is "falling down" or "falling out" within the pelvis

Pelvis

The pelvis or pelvic girdle is the irregular bone structure located at the base of the spine . In the adult human, it is formed by the sacrum and the coccyx, the caudal part of the axial skeleton, and a pair of hip bones, part of the appendicular skeleton or human leg....
. Severe cases may cause vaginal bleeding, intermittent fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is the loss of regular control of the bowels. Involuntary excretion and leaking are common occurrences for those affected.Subjects relating to defecation are often socially unacceptable, thus those affected are often beset by feelings of shame and humiliation....
, or even the prolapse

Prolapse

Prolapse literally means "To fall out of place." In medicine, prolapse is a condition where organs, such as the uterus, fall down or slip out of place....
of the bulge through the mouth of the vagina, or rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse normally describes a medical condition wherein the walls of the rectum protrude through the anus and hence become visible outside the body....
through the anus. Digital evacuation, or, manual pushing, on the posterior wall of the vagina helps to aid in bowel movement in a majority of cases of rectocele.

Causes

It can be caused by many factors, but the most common is childbirth, especially with babies over nine pounds in weight, or rapid births. The use of forceps

Forceps

Forceps are a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects. Forceps are used when fingers are too large to grasp small objects or when many objects need to be held at one time while the hands are used to perform a task....
is more likely a marker for the vaginal injury, than a direct cause of the tear. Episiotomy or lower vaginal tears play little role in the formation of a cystocele. The risk increases with the number of vaginal births, although it can also happen in women who have never borne a child.

A hysterectomy

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is the surgery removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynaecology. Hysterectomy may be total or partial . It is the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure....
or other pelvic surgery can be a cause, as can chronic constipation and straining to pass bowel movements. It is more common in older women than in younger ones; estrogen

Estrogen

Estrogens are a group of steroid compounds, named for their importance in the estrous cycle, and functioning as the primary female sex hormone....
which helps to keep the pelvic tissues elastic decreases after menopause

Menopause

The Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation which occurs a considerable length of time before the end of the lifespan.The word was first applied to humans, and because of this it literally means the cessation of monthly cycles or menstrual cycles, from the Greek roots meno and pausis ....
. Another cause which is sometimes overlooked in younger women is sexual abuse

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual acts by one person upon another. The offender is referred to as a molester/molestor/ abuser/sexual abuser....
during childhood.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the problem, and may include changes in diet (increase in fiber and water intake), pelvic floor

Pelvic floor

The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis....
exercises such as Kegel exercise

Kegel exercise

A Kegel exercise, named after Arnold Kegel, consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles which form part of the pelvic floor ....
s, use of stool softeners, hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy may refer to:*Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Androgen replacement therapy ...
for post-menopausal women, insertion of a pessary

Pessary

A pessary is a small plastic or silicone medical device which is inserted into the vagina or rectum and held in place by the pelvic floor musculature....
into the vagina, and various forms of surgery

Surgery

Surgery is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance, or sometimes for some other reason....
(usually posterior colporrhaphy - the suturing of vaginal tissue). More recent developments in surgery are directed at repairs to the rectovaginal septum, than simple excision or plication of vaginal skin, which provides no support. Both gynecologists and colorectal surgeon

Surgeon

In medicine, a surgeon is a person who performs surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such to remove a diseased organ or to repair a tear or breakage....
s can address this problem.