Hi ladies, I've been experiencing an intermittent lump and feeling of fullness in my vagina that disappears after a bowel movement. Sorry to sound crude but sometimes it can be quite a lump and I have to insert my fingers in there to push it out when I'm on the loo! It's got worse over the past year but I can still live with it. It just becomes a problem sometimes when I'm exercising. Does this sound like a rectocele? Any advice appreciated. I'm 45 with 2 children.
Hello cheryl it does sound like a rectocele. That's how I first noticed mine. I suppose the best thing is to see your doctor and get a firm diagnosis.
Hi Cheryl,
3 years ago before my hysterectomy and anterior repair, the advanced prolapse of front vag... wall was causing bladder problems sometimes having to sit with legs up in air then running for toilet, sometimes having to insert fingers to try push bladder wall forward to allow it to empty properly. Also doing lift and squeeze pelvic floor exersuses to empty properly. I
eventually had my hysterectomy along with an anterior repair.
When discharged not given anything to help BM, so was very worried first few days as muscle at end did not seem to work and felt I really needed yet pushing against back vag wall.
Had not been told what to expect or given any advise. However like you, discovered that if I inserted 2 fingers in vag and pushed the back lumpy wall that was protruding back in place then my muscle worked allowing BM. It did seem to sore itself over net few days so put it down to anesthetic.
3 years on and having difficulty wiping clean at back end, small pocket developed (same as above) prolapse of back vag... wall. Not emptying bowel properly ( you do a bit then seemed to be empty yet still felt full) , as soon as start moving around immediately need again, and so on rest of day.
Can be a real problem when st work out and about. GP agreed was a prolapse, but both front and back ( back only slight) ; amazed that only a slight prolapse can cause such a problem. Referred to consultant and (running late so only saw assistant consultant, she was really nervous and agitated being under pressure). She said prolapse at front causing pressure at the back, and only needed front repaired again.
In the end different consultant, done my op and said she would know once in there what she would need to do. So in the end had both front and back repair done this time.
Hope this helps you, if your are prolapsed and it is very mild they can send you for physiotherapy which can sort things, or if needed can offer pessary (a ring) to help hold wall up in place. They only usually offer surgery if prolapse advanced beyond this kind of help.
Phyl x💖
Hi chic, that was me some six month ago now had A&P to sort it out, go and see Gyni and they will confirm how or what the next steps are xxx
good luck and take care x
Hi cheryl1970,
It sounds very much like a rectocele. See your GP & get referred to a specialist. I have one too and it seems to be getting worse even though I have been really careful about not getting constipated etc. Surgery does seem to be the answer for most women but we are all different so get it checked out. Good luck.
Hallo Cheryl,
Ja, es klingt tatsächlich nach einer Rektozelen. Lass dich richtig diagnostizieren, damit du entscheiden kannst, was du tun möchtest, und vor allem, wie du deinen Prolaps am besten behandeln kannst. In der Zwischenzeit könnte ein Toilettensitz helfen, den Druck auf deinen Beckenboden zu verringern, indem er deine Knie anhebt. Es gibt auch etwas, das als Femmeze Vagina Trainer bezeichnet wird, das von einer NHS-Pflegekraft entwickelt wurde. Du verwendest es vaginal anstelle deiner Finger, um den Darm bei der Defäkation wieder in Position zu bringen.
Stärke deinen Beckenboden unbedingt mit gezielten Übungen – das hilft, den Prolaps davon abzuhalten, sich zu verschlechtern. Wenn du trainierst, suche unbedingt im Internet nach „sichere Übungen für Prolaps“. Eine australische Physiotherapeutin namens Michelle Kenway hat mehrere kostenlose Videos auf YouTube veröffentlicht, die dir helfen, zu verstehen, was sicher ist und was nicht (gilt für alle Frauen mit Prolaps, nicht nur bei Rektozelen). Du solltest Hochbelastungsübungen vermeiden, aber so stark wie möglich werden.
Ich hoffe, das hilft.
S
Hi Cheryl! Yes it sounds like a rectocele. I have a mild rectocele and recognize some of your symptoms. It is not dangerous, but if it bothers you too much yo could have an app with your dr to have it diagnosed and offered a solution. Hugs!!!
Es klingt für mich nach einer Rektozèle. – Die Notwendigkeit, die Finger in die Vagina einzuführen und an der hinteren Wand zu drücken (Splinting), um zu defäkieren, ist der entscheidende Hinweis. Ich habe auch so herausgefunden, dass ich eine habe. Übrigens habe ich eine Packung Untersuchungshandschuhe gekauft, was das Splinting deutlich weniger umständlich gemacht hat.
Wenn du denkst, dass deine Rektozèle mild genug ist, um keine Operation zu wollen, solltest du trotzdem einen Urogyn aufsuchen. Pessare und Beckenbodentherapie können beide bei einer milden Rektozèle helfen, ohne dass eine Operation notwendig ist.
Viel Glück!
That's excellent advice DorryC and I would always recommend a Urogynaecologist who may have a specially trained physiotherapist in the team because you can read books and watch videos but they are the only professionals who can assess you and ensure you are doing your pelvic floor exercises correctly.
Thanks everyone - it's reassuring to find I'm not alone! It's something I can't discuss with hubby and a very personal problem!
Yes Cheryl no matter how nice our hubbies are this is a very especial problem that only ladies with the same issues can understand completely. They support us as husbands of course but the truth is that the girls of this forum are the best people to share these kind of prolapse worries 😉 . I feel that the girls of this forum understand me completely, and they give excellent advice especially our dear Matron (Sorry for my English... I'm Spanish...) 😘
Hijadeonagro,
Your English is excellent. I only ever did French and Latin and while I was great at written French I was never very good at spoken French and never having used it have forgotten most of it.
I should learn some basic Spanish as we nearly always go on holiday to Spain, quite scandalous that I haven't as yet!!!
Phyl x☺☺☺
Your English is perfect Hijadeonagro, in fact I keep forgetting you are Spanish.
Thanks Phyl! 😳
French is a very beautiful language also, I love both English and French but I have to say that French has been more difficult for me...
By the way, I'm very happy to hear that you love Spain as a place for holidays... ❤️
Thanks Matron!!!! ❤️
Hi, I had exactly the same as you Cheryl, I got a referral to the Gynae who performed my hysterctomy back in 2004 and he confirmed it was a rectocele, I had a ' posterior vaginal repair' on Friday. today is Sunday and I am at home recovering, in bed laid on my side as my 'undercarriage' is a bit tender! no Bowel movement yet, that is scarier than the operation! I am 54 with grown up children, I also have chronic asthma so I cough hard and a lot, which, along with the hysterectomy, has also contributed to the rectocele.
hi Pearl, I'm glad you are recovering well. Did you have surgery with mesh or only stitches? Take a stool softener for the first BM darling. My best wishes of recovery, keep us informed, I'm having posterior repair in the next months and trying to get as much info as I can. hugs!!! 😘
Hello pearl. It's good to hear you are resting in bed. Hope the operation went well. So now you do nothing for 2 weeks and definitely no lifting anything heavier than a kettle with enough water for 1 cup of tea. Alan the moderator has put together some excellent information on a Pinned Post on the Genitourinary home page which I know you'll find useful and it will answer a lot of any concerns you may have in the coming weeks. However everyone on this forum will give you lots if support. So keep resting and Hijadeonagro's advice is spot on regarding a stool softener, if you weren't given any on prescription they are available over the counter at most pharmacies. Take care.
My lovely lovely Gynae had this to say about the recovery - the first 4 weeks are crucial ! rest, rest and more rest to ensure the stitches heal properly, he does not use mesh, it is all stitching, lots! I can potter, light dusting, no standing or walking for long periods, no heavy lifting, nothing more than a kettle with one cup of water in it. no hoovering or lifting flagstones! Failure to be careful may result in needing to have this done again in 3 or 4 years time, he says the better care I take while healing, the longer it will last.. Pain wise, it is quite sore today, I had the op Friday, today is Sunday, he injected the whole area with a load of local anaesthetic during the op, so it wasn't until late last night that it started to get uncomfortable, but it is manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen alternating every 2 hours, sitting upright is difficult so I am half laid in bed on my side-ish. Haven't had a poo yet... scared! taking lactulose twice a day to make it easier when it does happen, I think I had that sorted out while under anaesthetic too.. so not expecting results today...
Thank you Matron, going to find that post and have a read :-D