In many women, the process of childbirth is associated with injuries and various pathologies. One of them is the rectocele. What is it?
General information
Rectocele is a common disease characterized by a protrusion of the wall of the rectum into the vaginal area. This pathology is accompanied by constipation and a violation of the defecation process. Rectocele is one of the manifestations of weakness of the pelvic muscles in women. Severe bulges that fail to respond to diet and medication may require surgery.
According to statistics, the incidence of rectocele has increased greatly over the past few years. Most of the patients are women who have given birth over 45 years of age. In our country today this disease is given little importance. Often women have to go around several specialists to find a qualified doctor who deals with the problem of the pelvicprolapse and rectocele.
What is this disease?
Among the main reasons for the development of pathology, doctors call the weakness of the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor. In the process of delivery, the perineum experiences enormous loads. The soft tissues of the pelvis gradually stretch. For many women, rectocele begins to form at this time. As we age, the strength of the pelvic floor muscles decreases. The septum between the intestine and the vaginal area becomes very thin. The supporting parts of the perineum cannot fully hold 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 is gradually increasing. 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 linger in the protrusion. The woman is forced to push even harder. As a result, the size of the rectocele increases exponentially, constipation occurs. Thus, a vicious circle is formed.
Sometimes rectocele disease is combined with rectal prolapse. The walls of the lower part of the organ begin to protrude forward, forming a bag. A drop-down mucous membrane may hang over it from above. In this case, the rectum folds like an accordion. Such serious changes cause a violation of the act of defecation and require surgical intervention.
How to identify a rectocele yourself?
Symptoms of the disease appear gradually. They are not life threatening, so many are in no hurry to seek help fromdoctor. The first sign of pathology is prolonged constipation. At the same time, patients note normal urge to go to the toilet, but it is very difficult to empty the intestines. They are concerned about the heaviness in the anus and the feeling of the presence of a foreign body.
Many women at this stage in the development of the disease are unaware of serious violations. They prefer to resort to laxatives or cleansing enemas. After some time, there is a need for manual assistance during defecation. Intense straining entails trauma to the anal canal mucosa. As a result, concomitant proctological ailments develop (chronic hemorrhoids, fistulas, anal fissures), which cannot be cured at home. Stagnation of feces sometimes contributes to the formation of inflammatory changes, which are accompanied by fever and intoxication syndrome.
Classification of the pathological process
The disease belongs to the group of slowly progressing surgical pathologies. Depending on the prevalence of certain pathomorphological disorders, there are three degrees of rectocele. Each of them has a characteristic clinical picture.
- A grade 1 rectocele is very rare. Pathology is usually detected incidentally during routine examination. There are no characteristic symptoms of the disease.
- Rectocele of the 2nd degree is characterized by a detailed clinical picture. Patients complain of discomfort in the perianal area, problems with defecation.
- For a rectocele of the 3rd degree, prolapse of the intestine outside the vaginal canal is characteristic. Patients suffer from fecal incontinence and constipation. Sexual intercourse is 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 distinguished. For example, a protrusion of up to 20 mm is considered minimal. Critical parameters are 40 mm or more.
Medical examination
Diagnosis of a rectocele (a photo of the pathology is presented at the beginning of the article) usually does not cause difficulties. If this disease is suspected, a proctological examination is required. During a physical examination, the doctor assesses 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. First of all, defecography is prescribed. This study allows you to study the process of defecation in real time. To do this, 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 on a special chair and asked to push, as in the act of defecation. The doctor monitors this whole process with the help of an x-ray screen.
It is obligatory to diagnose not only the anatomy, but also the functions of the pelvic floor organs. For this, anorectal manometry is performed. Such research allowsdetermine the strength of the muscles of the perineum and disturbances in their work. Sometimes, anorectal manometry changes the initial treatment plan dramatically.
Traditional Therapy
Treatment of rectocele at the initial stages of development involves the use of conservative methods of therapy. They are designed to normalize the functioning of the intestines and eliminate concomitant inflammatory diseases. For these purposes, a variety of drugs are used: osmotic laxatives, prokinetics, eubiotics. The drugs should be prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the general condition of the patient and the results of the diagnostic examination.
It is necessary to start treatment of rectocele with the regulation of bowel function. To do this, it is recommended to replace the usual diet with a more strict diet. It is advisable to eat foods rich in fiber (vegetables). The drinking regimen also needs to be adjusted. It is recommended to drink at least two liters of clean water per day. How it works? Fiber and fluid increase the volume of feces, making them softer in texture. As a result, feces move freely through the intestines and pass out faster.
Surgery
The most effective method of rectocele treatment is surgery. Reviews of many doctors indicate that it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention in the second and third degrees of development of the pathological process.
The essence of the operation is to eliminate the protrusion of the intestine, fixing its anterior wall and strengthening the rectovaginal septum. surgical access tothe affected area can be obtained through the vagina, perineum or abdomen. With pronounced pathological changes in the localization of the pelvic organs or concomitant ailments (hemorrhoids, anal fissure), a combined surgical intervention is performed. It implies the simultaneous correction of underlying diseases.
Also, endoscopic treatment of rectocele is used in medical practice. Reviews about this method of surgical intervention in most cases are positive. In addition to eliminating defects, during the operation, the doctor installs a mesh implant. It is made of inert materials, which reduces the risk of developing allergies and infectious complications. Modern technologies help to cut out implants with high precision. Their use allows you to strengthen the rectovaginal area and pelvic ligaments. After such an operation, patients return to their usual way of life in two days.
Help of traditional medicine
Folk healers know how to treat a rectocele. However, alternative therapy cannot be considered effective, and its help should be resorted to only at the initial stage of the disease. Traditional medicine recipes are not recommended to replace the treatment prescribed by the doctor. They do not eliminate the cause of the disease, but help reduce the manifestation of its symptoms.
- Vegetable oil is considered an excellent remedy for constipation. It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach twice a day, one tablespoon each.
- Buckwheat porridge is no less useful for problems with defecation. Forits preparation, it is necessary to soak four tablespoons of cereals in 350 ml of kefir, leave overnight. In the morning, ready-made porridge can be eaten for breakfast, and after that, do not drink or eat anything for an hour. Such nutrition facilitates the evacuation of feces by thinning them.
- To normalize the stool and strengthen the walls of the intestines, it is useful to drink beetroot juice with honey (proportion 1:1).
Disease prevention
Rectocele is one of the most unpleasant diseases. What kind of ailment this is can be understood from the materials of this article. How to prevent its occurrence?
First of all, doctors advise to monitor the work of the digestive tract. It is necessary to avoid overeating, to prevent constipation. To do this, you should limit the use of foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract, as well as observe a diet. Physical activity must be constantly monitored. To prevent rectocele, you can perform exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the pelvis and perineum. They should be selected with a physiotherapy instructor.
