Rectocele - what is it? Causes, symptoms and treatment of rectocele

In many women, the process of delivery is associated with injuries and various pathologies. One of them is rectocele. What it is?

general information

Rectocele is a common disease characterized by protrusion of the rectum wall into the vaginal area. This pathology is accompanied by constipation and violation of the defecation process. Rectocele is one of the manifestations of the weakness of the pelvic muscles in women. When pronounced protrusion, when treatment with diet and medications is ineffective, surgical intervention is required.

According to statistical data, the incidence of rectocele has increased significantly over the past few years. Most of the patients are accounted for by giving birth to women over 45 years of age. In our country today, this disease is given little importance. Often, women have to bypass several specialists to find a qualified doctor dealing with pelvic prolapse and rectocele.

What is this for a disease?

Among the main causes of the development of pathology, physicians refer to the weakness of the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor. In the process of delivery, the perineum experiences enormous loads. Soft pelvic tissues gradually stretch. Many women already at this time begin to form a rectocele. With age, the muscle strength of the pelvic floor disappears. The septum between the intestine and the vaginal area becomes very thin. The supporting parts of the perineum can not fully support it. During each act of defecation, the rectum begins to fall out into the vaginal area.

The protrusion of the anterior wall of the organ gradually increases. Pathology takes the form of a bag that can hang out of the vagina. Against the background of these changes, the process of the act of defecation is disrupted, the feces are delayed in protrusion. A woman is forced to push harder. As a result, the size of the rectocele increases in geometric progression, constipation occurs. Thus, a vicious circle is formed.

Sometimes the disease of rectocele is combined with prolapse of the rectum. The walls of the lower part of the organ begin to protrude forward, forming a sack. Above it can hang overhanging mucous. In this case, the rectum develops an accordion. Such serious changes are the cause of the violation of the act of defecation and require prompt intervention.

How to determine the rectocele on your own?

Symptoms of the disease manifest gradually. They do not threaten life, so many people do not hurry to seek help from a doctor. The first sign of pathology is prolonged constipation. In this case, the patient notes normal urge to go to the toilet, but it is very difficult to empty the intestines. They are concerned about the severity of the anus and the sense of the presence of a foreign body.

Many women at this stage of the disease development are unaware of serious violations. They prefer to resort to laxatives or cleansing enemas. After a while, there is a need for manual assistance during defecation. Intensive straining leads to traumatization of the mucosa of the anal canal. As a result, accompanying proctologic ailments (chronic hemorrhoids, fistulas, anal fissures), which can not be cured at home is not possible. Congestion stool sometimes contributes to the formation of inflammatory changes, which are accompanied by an increase in temperature and intoxication syndrome.

Classification of the pathological process

The disease refers to a group of slowly ongoing surgical pathologies. Depending on the prevalence of these or other pathological disorders, three degrees of rectocele are distinguished. Each of them is distinguished by a characteristic clinical picture.

• Rectocele 1 degree is very rare. Pathology is usually detected accidentally during a routine examination. There are no typical symptoms of the disease.
• Rectocele of the 2nd degree differs in its detailed clinical picture. Patients complain of discomfort in the perianal area, problems with defecation.
• For rectocele of grade 3 , the prolapse of the intestine beyond the vaginal canal is characteristic. Patients at the same time suffer from incontinence of feces, constipation. Sexual contacts are accompanied by painful discomfort.

There is also a diagnostic classification of rectocele. What it is? Depending on the results of radiation imaging methods, certain categories of pathology are identified. For example, bulging up to 20 mm is considered to be minimal. Critical parameters are from 40 mm and more.

Medical Examination

Diagnosis of rectocele (photo pathology presented at the beginning of the article) usually does not cause difficulties. When suspected of this disease requires a proctologic examination. At physical examination the doctor estimates the size of the protrusion, its position relative to other internal structures.

To clarify the diagnosis, especially when an operation is planned, a more serious examination is needed. Firstly, a defecography is prescribed. This study allows you to study the process of defecation in real time. For this purpose, a rubber tube with a can is inserted into the rectum. Then it is filled with a mushy mass, which is clearly visible on the x-ray. The woman is seated in a special chair and asked to stiffen, as in the act of defecation. The doctor follows the entire process with the help of an X-ray screen.

It is mandatory to diagnose not only the anatomy, but also the functions of the pelvic floor organs. To do this, anorectal manometry is performed. Such a study allows you to determine the strength of the muscles of the perineum and impairment in their work. Sometimes anorectal manometry cardinally changes the preliminary treatment plan.

Traditional Therapy

Treatment of rectocele at the initial stages of development implies the use of conservative therapies. They are designed to normalize the work of the intestine and eliminate associated inflammatory diseases. For these purposes use a variety of medicines: laxative osmotic action, prokinetics, eubiotics. Drugs should be prescribed by the doctor taking into account the general condition of the patient and the results of the diagnostic examination.

Begin the treatment of rectocele is necessary with the regulation of bowel function. To do this, it is recommended to replace the habitual diet with a more strict diet. It is advisable to consume fiber-rich foods (vegetables). The drinking regime also requires adjustment. A day is recommended to drink at least two liters of clean water. How it works? Fiber and fluid increase the volume of feces, making their consistency softer. As a result, the stool moves freely through the intestines and leaves faster.

Operative intervention

The most effective treatment for rectocele is surgery. The reviews of many doctors suggest that resort to surgical intervention is necessary for the second and third degree of the pathological process.

The essence of the operation is reduced to eliminating bulging of the intestine, fixing its anterior wall and strengthening the rectovaginal septum. Surgical access to the affected area can be obtained through the vagina, perineum or abdominal cavity. With pronounced pathological changes in the localization of pelvic organs or concomitant ailments (hemorrhoids, anal fissure), combined operative intervention is performed. It implies a simultaneous correction of background diseases.

Also in medical practice, endoscopic treatment of rectocele is used. Reviews about this method of surgery in most cases, positive. In addition to eliminating defects, during the operation the doctor installs a reticular implant. It is made of inert materials, which reduces the risk of allergies and infectious complications. Modern technologies help to cut out implants with high accuracy. Their use makes it possible to strengthen the rectovaginal zone and ligaments of the small pelvis. After such an operation, patients return to their habitual way of life in two days.

The help of traditional medicine

People's healers know how to treat rectocele. However, unconventional therapy can not be considered effective, and its help should be resorted only at the initial stage of the disease. Recipes of traditional medicine is not recommended to replace the doctor-appointed treatment. They do not eliminate the cause of the disease, but help to reduce the manifestation of its symptoms.

• An excellent remedy for constipation is vegetable oil. It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach twice a day, one tablespoon.
• No less useful in case of problems with defecation buckwheat porridge. For its preparation, four tablespoons of cereals should be soaked in 350 ml of kefir, left overnight. In the morning you can eat the ready porridge for breakfast, and after that do not drink anything or eat for an hour. Such food facilitates the evacuation of stool due to their dilution.
• To normalize the stool and strengthen the walls of the intestine, it is useful to drink beetroot juice with honey (1: 1 ratio).

Prevention of disease

One of the most unpleasant diseases is the rectocele. What it is for ailment can be understood from the materials of this article. How to prevent its occurrence?

First and foremost, doctors advise to follow the work of the digestive tract. It is necessary to avoid overeating, not to allow constipation. To do this, you should limit the use of irritating gastrointestinal products, and also observe the diet. Physical loads need to be constantly monitored. For prevention of rectocele, it is possible to perform exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the pelvis and the perineum. They should be selected with an instructor in physiotherapy exercises.