Rectal Prolapse

A rectal prolapse happens when the rectum, the final part of the large intestine, bulges out of the anus. Imagine a section of your intestine pushing out of the opening at the end of your digestive system. This can cause discomfort, but it's not usually a serious, immediate problem.

Sometimes, a doctor might suggest using stool softeners, suppositories, or other medications to help. These can ease the symptoms. However, in most cases, surgery is the best way to fix a rectal prolapse. The surgery aims to put the rectum back in its proper place and prevent it from coming out again.

Rectal prolapse is a condition where a portion of the rectum, the final part of the large intestine, bulges out of the anus. Often, this bulge is noticeable as a reddish lump, especially when you strain during a bowel movement. This lump might go back inside on its own, or it might stay outside.

People with rectal prolapse may experience several other symptoms:

• Trouble controlling bowel movements (incontinence): This means you might have accidents with bowel movements.
• Constipation or diarrhea: These problems can make bowel movements either too hard to pass or too loose.
• Blood or mucus leaking from the anus: These can be signs of irritation or inflammation in the rectum.
• Feeling like your bowels aren't completely empty after a bowel movement: This is often a sign that there's still something pressing against the inside of the anus.

These symptoms can vary in severity from person to person. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it's important to talk to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Rectal prolapse, a condition where the rectum (the final part of the large intestine) slips out of place, has an unclear cause. While many people think pregnancy and childbirth are the main reasons, this isn't always true. In fact, about one-third of women with rectal prolapse have never been pregnant. Other factors likely play a role, and doctors are still researching the exact causes.

Rectal prolapse, where part of the rectum (the final part of the large intestine) comes out of the body, can be affected by several factors.

One factor is sex. Rectal prolapse is more common in women than men. This isn't fully understood, but may be related to differences in the anatomy or other factors.

Age also plays a role. Rectal prolapse often develops in people over 50. As we age, our tissues may lose some of their strength and elasticity, making us more vulnerable to this condition.

Constipation can contribute to the risk of rectal prolapse. When you have trouble having a bowel movement, you might strain to pass stool. This straining puts pressure on the muscles and tissues holding the rectum in place, which can increase the risk of it protruding. Chronic constipation, meaning ongoing struggles with bowel movements, is a particular concern.

It can be tricky to tell the difference between rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids. To diagnose rectal prolapse and rule out other problems, your doctor might recommend some tests:

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Your doctor will gently insert a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum. This helps them check the strength of the muscles around your rectum (sphincter muscles) and feel for any unusual lumps or bulges that might indicate a problem. They might ask you to push down (bear down) to see if the rectum pushes out.

• Anal Manometry: A thin, flexible tube is inserted into your anus and rectum. A small balloon at the end of the tube is inflated. This test measures how tightly your anal sphincter muscles are working and how well your rectum is functioning. It helps to understand the pressure and movement within your rectum.

• Colonoscopy: To rule out other conditions like hemorrhoids, polyps (small growths), or colon cancer, your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy. A long, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into your rectum. This lets the doctor see the entire colon and look for any abnormalities.

• Defecography: This test combines an imaging technique (like an X-ray or MRI) with a special dye. The dye helps highlight the movement of your bowels and the structure of your lower digestive tract during a bowel movement. It shows how your rectal muscles work during a bowel movement, which can help detect problems with the muscles or the surrounding structures.

These tests help your doctor get a clear picture of what's happening in your rectum and surrounding area, allowing for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.