Should I ask to have my rectocele repaired?

[edie314]

I am a 33 yr old female, with a 14 month old.  I've been told that I have a grade 2-3 rectocele.  The first 2 doctors I saw said I didn't have one, but the 3rd finally confirmed it.  I have terrible pressure in my vagina and it feels "like something is falling out" even though I have no prolapse of any of my organs.  I have difficulty with bowel movements even though I try to eat plenty of fiber.  I've been going to pelvic floor physical therapy for 3 weeks with no improvement so far (biofeedback).  I'm wondering if I should ask my doctor if a rectocele repair would help me.  After a year of dealing with this (and every day is a challenge), I'm getting really depressed.  My husband and I haven't had sex in well over 9 months because I'm in pain all the time.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[TripleZ]

Hi
oh I so understand. It is an awful feeling, the pain and pressure, the hassle to evacuate stool completely with that kink. And the whole sex thing...sigh...
Has your dr or the PT suggested a pessary?
I have a vaginal vault prolapse as well as a rectocele. I had a pessary put in at my first gyno appointment.
I then had two uro-gyns advise me NOT to have surgery if I could *live with it*. They both felt that the risk of rectocele surgery failure and having to have a repair again was quite likely. I was an active 53 years old at the time and one dr actually said if I was his wife/sister/mother he would say wait as long as I can before having surgery.
That was 5+ years ago.
The pessary is my life saver (and looks like one too). It helps soo much!
Good luck!

[J. Kyle Mathews, MD, DVM]

Sorry to read of your problem.  I suggest to my patients that symptomatic recotceles be repaired depending on the degree the condition affects their day to day lives.  Given your post I would suggest you discuss this option with your doctor.  I am concerned of your complaint of pelvic pain and pain with intercourse.  These complaints need to be evaluated to determine if they are related to your rectocele or some other condition.  

The discrepancies in the 3 doctors is also of concern.  Rectoceles are in general easy to diagnose.  In cases where there is an unsure diagnosis, Defecography can be helpful.  This procudure is highly specialized and you will need to search for a center that performes the test.  Colorectal Surgeons, Gastroenterologist, and Urogynecologist are usually the doctors that would order such a test.

[cricket3991]

I also delt with bowl problems but.....now that was fixed but I have incontenance and my cervex is right at the opening.  I traded a bulge of skin for a uteras prolaps.  I go back to dr. this week but what can they do now?  I would not have done this if I had any idea it would be worse.  I could have tried a pessery first.  Sex before didn't work real well but now it is painful and worse than it was before.   Triplez, your Dr. was honest there are not many of them out there, they will tell you sex will be great afterwards!  Good luck and read up on all the problems that can happen and make your dr. address each one before you go ahead.