Rectocele

Updated: 2023-10-13

Description

A bulge of tissue into the vagina from a weakness or tear in the tissue between the rectum and the vagina.

Overview

Tearing in childbirth, straining often to pass stool, and other pressures on the wall of tissue between the rectum and the vagina can lead to a rectocele. It's also called posterior vaginal prolapse.

Symptoms

A small rectocele might cause no symptoms. Symptoms might include a soft bulge of tissue that can come through the opening of the vagina. This bulge also may cause trouble having a bowel movement or a feeling of fullness in the rectum.

Treatments

Treatment might include simple exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles or a device put in the vagina to hold the tissues in place. If those don't work, surgery to fix the bulge might be needed.