Just diagnosed rectocele/ Will I be able to continue running??

welcome to the site (sorry I moved your post, but I thought this forum was better suited for it)

I'm sorry you had need to seek us out though. we've had a couple of runners here, hopefully some of them will chime in.

as far as rectocele getting worse, I dont' think thats an absolute.
the first thing I'd say you need to know is that constipation is your worst enemy. followed closely by straining on the toilet.

as far as suggestions, take a deep breath and spend some time reading through the posts here. use the search box and search out 'rectocele', 'running', 'constipation', whatever else seems like it relates to your situation.
if you can swing it, buy the book (saving the wholewoman) it is worth its weight twice over in gold. explains clearly how a prolapse develops, what we can do to stabilize and/or reverse it, how to manage it, etc
also has an exercise program in it

I'm heading off to bed now, but know that you are not alone. stick around, ask all the questions you have and hold on to hope.

Hi Summergirl

Hmm, these things happen. Sorry to hear you have joined us, but happy to hear that you have found us (if you know what I mean?)

Sometimes doctors give their ignorance away with comments like this. If this is all he had to say then you are indeed better to find another doctor who shows some signs of understanding what s/he is talking about. Actually, I have not found doctors to be at all helpful prolapse-wise, though they have been OK about my refusing surgery. I don't even mention POP, unless they bring it up. There is nothing wrong with me that they can fix, so what is the point. Still, at least you have a diagnosis now. Sounds like rectocele to me.

I think you have also just inadvertently added to the body of knowledge about POP.

Having a full bowel will produce and redistribute its own intraabdominal forces, and a bowel full of stool will certainly push other organs around as the contents move down the tube. If you are exercising at the time, that will also produce its own intraabdominal forces, so there was probably quite a bit of pushing and shoving going on down there. It may have done some damage at the time, or worsened existing damage, which I would think is more likely, and maybe was inevitable.

There may indeed be some wisdom in the idea of not exercising on a full stomach, when the body is moving food matter through the system. I have read that 20 minutes after a meal the body is often ready for a bowel motion. However you do not say that it was that close after eating that you went running.

Cheers

Louise

Hi summergirl,

I too have been "recently" diagnosed with a rectocele (and a cystocele). This was in January and I will be visiting my gynecologist next Tuesday for my annual exam.(My January visit was an "emergency" visit with her as I had just found my bladder "peeking" and I was in a panic.) Anyway, I have found my rectocele is much more bothersome than my cystocele. If you can get Christine's book, I urge you to do so. It has so much information in it that will help you understand what has happened to you.
I have found that even though my rectocele/cystocele are always in the back of my mind, I have found that there are some things that I can do to help myself. This is what I have found to help me cope with my rectocele:
... Reading Christine's book,
... eating a lot of daily fiber (I eat 25 grams a day)..BUT if you have not had a lot of fiber in your diet, make sure that you begin to add it slowly or the gas pains will be very uncomfortable. (There are also two types of fiber... soluble and insoluble and you need both kinds.) I have also found that if I need to "poo" more than one time a day, it seems to bother me more,so it really is a balancing act.
... drink a lot of water..(I drink 8-10 glasses a day)
... do not ignore the "urge to go"
... I have also found that lubricating the inside of my vagina helps alot. I am not sure why, but it does help me. (However I am currently in menopause so I am not sure if this is something that would help you.) I found that when I was using KY jelly I would have to reapply it 4-5 times a day.. very inconvenient. So I made the effort to try Christine's Bliss Balm and have found that it lasts much longer and is very soothing.
... AND visit this website. This forum is so helpful. Just the ability to share ideas and to talk things over and to learn what works for others is really a blessing.

~KM

well I think some exercise would. Any repetitive straining type activity would. Running with a full bowel would. Sit-ups and crunches can. Training for a marathon? honestly- I have to say yes. Marathon runners give up much. They have repetitive type injuries- strained knees, pulled muscles, etc....Running long distances is very hard on the body. Ok that said. I imagine that if running is your passion, dream, joy in life then you must find a way to do what you love.
I am able to run a few miles a few times a week with out any change to my rectocele. I really enjoy swimming a few miles a week. And I have not found bike riding to change my prolapse either once I adjusted my posture (can you see where I am going with this?) . Go for the triathlon. It is a wonderful way to stay in shape and is less demanding on the joints of the body- less jarring impact- less time pounding on the organs.
It is so interesting to realize that all the organs in the body are mobile- and that sagging is normal for the aging process- and that you can speed that process up a little or slow it down a little- but eventually it will all just sag (God willing).

Oh and it may very well get worse- and it may stay the same- and it will most likely get better! No one knows. No doctor or surgeon- no one but you. So start today. Get in the posture and when it feels really natural go for a jog.

Hi alemama... "Get in the posture and when it feels really natural go for a jog."... I wonder if I might dare jog a few beats sportin' my stage three prolapse (just down to the next tree while on my next walk)...hmmm, should I get brave enough to try it, I'll be sure to report. I think it's my head that holds me back more than my POP, but I'm working on shoring up my thoughts right along with everything else. Thanks for all your insights and sharing; you make a difference. = : )

Make it a great one.

~♥Blue

In the video- Christine takes a nice run. Just beautiful- outside- even looks a little uphill. Go for it! incorporate some arm flaps for good measure.