Rectocele
What are the treatments for the disease?
Treatment of rectocele is aimed at treating and reducing symptoms. These
measures may help:
avoiding straining during bowel movements or heavy lifting
eating a healthy diet, especially one with more fiber
staying active
using stool softeners to keep stools soft
doing Kegel exercises to
strengthen the muscles supporting the rectum and vagina
using a pessary, which is a device fitted into the vagina to hold the
rectum in place
using hormone replacement therapy, or
HRT, for postmenopausal women, which
may help to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and rectum
the use of surgery for severe or persistent symptoms, or for a progressive
rectocele. The goal of the surgery is to move the rectum back into its normal
position and hold it there. The muscles of the vagina and rectum can also be
strengthened with surgery.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medications used to treat constipation may cause side effects, including nausea,
headache, or diarrhea. Surgery
carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and
allergic reactions to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Treatments such as activity and diet modifications might be lifelong.
Recovery from surgery may take a few days to several weeks, depending on the
procedure used.
How is the disease monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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