How to Exercise With a Rectocele
A rectocele occurs when the rectum bulges into the vagina. A thin wall of tissue, called the fascia, separates the rectum from the vagina. When this tissue is weakened -- this often happens during pregnancy and childbirth -- the rectum could protrude into the vagina. A rectocele can make it difficult for a woman to have a bowel movement. It also can cause a looseness in the vagina that can negatively affect sexual relationships. Exercises might help relieve or correct this problem.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Contract the muscles in your groin area, as if you were trying to stop urine. Keep these muscles contracted for about 10 seconds. Then relax the muscles for 10 seconds. Do this exercise -- called a Kegel -- 10 to 15 times each day to strengthen the vaginal muscles.
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Insert a cone-shaped weight in the vagina and use your muscles to hold it there. The vaginal cone, similar to a tampon, increases the strength of the vaginal muscles. Hold the vaginal cone in place for about 10 minutes.
Lie down on your back with your feet extended. Leave one leg on the floor and lift the other leg high off the ground. If you can point your leg straight up, get it to that position and slowly lower it. Then do the same exercise with your other leg. Do this 10 times with each leg to strengthen your vaginal muscles.
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Consult with your physician if you feel your rectum bulging into your vagina. This is not usually a painful condition, but it can be uncomfortable. A small bulge can usually be treated with exercise. However, a larger bulge might require surgery, notes "A Woman's Guide to Regaining Bladder Control. 1"
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References
- "A Woman's Guide To Regaining Bladder Control"; Dr. Eric Rovner, et al
- Vaginal Health Guide Remedy: Vaginal Exercises
- Guzmán Rojas, R., Quintero, C., Shek, K. L., & Dietz, H. P. (2015). Does childbirth play a role in the etiology of rectocele? International Urogynecology Journal, 26(5), 737–741. doi:10.1007/s00192-014-2560-1
- Mustain WC. Functional Disorders: Rectocele. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2017;30(1):63–75. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1593425
- Beck DE, Allen NL. Rectocele. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2010;23(2):90–98. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1254295
- Murad-Regadas, S. M., Regadas, F. S. P., Rodrigues, L. V., Fernandes, G. O. da S., Buchen, G., & Kenmoti, V. T. Management of patients with rectocele, multiple pelvic floor dysfunctions and obstructed defecation syndrome. Arquivos de Gastroenterologia, (2012) 49(2), 135–142. doi:10.1590/s0004-28032012000200008
- Zhang, B. (2010). Stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome associated with rectocele and rectal intussusception. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 16(20), 2542. doi:10.3748/wjg.v16.i20.2542
- Giarratano G, Toscana C, Toscana E, Shalaby M, Sileri P. Stapled transanal rectal resection for the treatment of rectocele associated with obstructed defecation syndrome: a large series of 262 consecutive patients. Tech Coloproctol. 2019 Feb 16. doi:10.1007/s10151-019-01944-9
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Posterior vaginal prolapse (rectocele). Mayo Clinic. 8 March 2018.
- Mimura T, Roy AJ, Storrie JB, Kamm MA. Treatment of impaired defecation associated with rectocele by behavorial retraining (biofeedback). Dis Colon Rectum. 2000;43:1267-1272. doi:10.1007/bf02237434
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Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.