Rectal Prolapse – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Rectal prolapse occurs when the lower part of the large intestine pushes outside the anus. This condition may be uncomfortable but rarely requires emergency treatment.

Treatment options for rectal prolapse include non-surgical approaches like stool softeners and medications. However, surgical intervention is typically necessary for effective long-term management.

Key aspects of rectal prolapse:

• Involves intestinal tissue protruding through the anus
• Can cause discomfort but isn’t usually an emergency
• Often requires surgical correction for complete resolution

Signs of Rectal Prolapse

Rectal prolapse often shows up as a reddish mass that sticks out from the anus. This typically happens during bowel movements when you strain.

Sometimes this lump goes back inside on its own, but other times it stays visible.

People with rectal prolapse may also experience:

• Fecal incontinence – inability to control bowel movements.
• Bowel issues – either constipation or loose stools.
• Discharge – blood or mucus leaking from the rectum.
• Incomplete evacuation – feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels.

These symptoms can vary in severity from person to person. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

Causes

The exact reason why rectal prolapse happens remains unknown. Many people think it’s linked to childbirth, but research shows this isn’t always true.

In fact, about one-third of women who develop rectal prolapse have never given birth. This suggests other factors may contribute to this condition.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase your chance of developing rectal prolapse:

Gender and Age

• Women have a higher risk than men
• People over 50 years old are more likely to develop this condition

Digestive Issues

• Chronic constipation can lead to rectal prolapse
• Straining during bowel movements puts pressure on rectal tissues

Long-term straining from constipation forces the rectum to push outward. This repeated pressure weakens the supporting muscles and tissues over time.

Other possible risk factors include:

• Weakened pelvic floor muscles
• Childbirth-related tissue damage
• Neurological conditions affecting bowel control
• Previous pelvic surgeries
• Chronic coughing

Many patients have more than one risk factor. For example, an older woman with long-term constipation faces higher risks than someone without these factors.

Some research suggests rectal prolapse may share similarities with hernias, where tissue pushes through weakened muscle walls. The exact connection between these conditions is still being studied.

Children can also develop rectal prolapse, though the risk factors differ from adults. In children, it’s often linked to conditions causing increased abdominal pressure or poor muscle tone.

Understanding your personal risk factors helps healthcare providers develop appropriate prevention strategies and treatment plans.