Long term effects of rectal prolapse?

Body: 

Hi Christine,

I have a rectal prolapse, it occured after the birth of my daughter almost 2 years ago. I have no pain from it and really very little discomfort, the only time I really notice it, is if I am constipated, which I very seldonly am. I am aware of it, as it obviously sits lower than it used to, when I am sitting in a bath tub I can feel it touch the bath tub. I am wondering of the long term effects, is this going to ger worse over time, can exercise reverse it or perhaps maintain it.

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions.

I can only talk about my mother as she has a grade 2 rectocele...

Over the long term (many manyyyyyyy years) It has not given her the problem you describe... She has been constipated most of her life, and has problems that way...

Her main problem was inability to pass a BM because of the constipation and the dragging feeling, back ache etc...

I think if you get into the posture it could help this (I personally have a grade 1 (was 2) uterine prolapse a grade 1 bladder prolapse and a grade 1 rectocele - Though I now would not even know I had a prolapse if I didnt keep checking...

The uterine prolapse used to feel lowwwwwww around period time - That was the only prolapse I had then - My IDIOT Dr rammed a far far too large pessary into me - kindly giving me the other prolapses - Now theonly one I have a problem with every now and then is bladder - Mainly cos I know it is there - no real problems at this time at all...

But back to you lol

I really believe (though I hafta admit when I arrived here I had zero confidence in posture!) Now - Nearly a year on - I have 100% confidenced in the posture - As I have no problems with them at all!

My mother had a pessary ring put in (not by my Dr lol) about 5mths ago for her rectocele - And she tells me it is great - Stopped that dragging feeling that she had continually. She has to make sure she does not get constipated though...

I hope that you can get the posture into your life and realise how freeing it truly is! (ya know I cannot believe that I am actually saying this - but it is true) I was soooooo cynical at first - Now I am so happy I came here - Cos I now feel free of the constant worry that my insides are gonna land at my knees...

I hope that helps - even a tiny bit :)
Sue

*EDIT*

I forgot to say (remembered in bed last night lol)

That my mother is nearly 63 and it has gotten NO worse over the years :)

usaukaus
I keep reading about grades of prolapse....what do they mean? How do you know what grade of prolapse you have got? Also how do I access old material posted on this website? I am anxious to receive any information I can. By the way, thanks for the comments and tips. They are helping me enormously to deal with the situation. I felt so isolated before. Thanks

Hi Usakaus
I have come across several grading systems which medical professionals seem to use. Some grade from 1-4, others 1-3, and most recently I came a across a wonderful nurse practitioner who graded from 1-5! To be honest I am rather sceptical as I have been told so many different things, including that I have a grade 1-2 cystocele and rectocele, and grade 2-3 as well as no prolapse at all! I don't know what to believe as it seems to be so very subjective for the individual making the assessment. (This seems to be a common thread for other women here too).
I think what is more important for me at least, is level of comfort, and in that regard I am feeling good. I try not to focus on the grade thing now and take it on a more individual basis for my own situation.
You can find all the old posts under the forums. There really is a wealth of information from over the years that this forum has been up and running!
Take care and I am so glad that you are no longer feeling so alone with this!
Michelle.

usaukaus
Michelle,
Does a Grade 1 prolapse mean that it is not that bad and a grade 5 means that it is very visible and hanging outside the body? Also, despite your explanation,I still don't seem to be able to access all the old posts. Please could you take me through the process with step by step instructions on how to access the old information? I am eager for any information that I can get my hands on. Thanks

Hi Usakaus,
I am no expert having learned this through my own experience! Yes, a grade one is the lowest degree of prolapse and a grade three, four or five, depending on the grading scale used, is the highest, (or rather lowest with the prolapse hanging outside). However, as I said it seems to be VERY subjective and depends if the person is grading out of 3, 4, or 5. I try not to get too hung up on the grading now and simply assess how I feel my own body is day to day.
OK, to access the old posts, go to forum. Then choose one of the forums and you will come to the page of most recent posts. Then you will see numbers at the bottom, you can click on each number to see all the prevous posts. Obviously the more posts there have been the more numbers!
Hope you find them :)
Michelle.