How long before op?

Hello lynn. On the Genitourinary home page there's lots of useful information under the heading Useful Resource. The symptoms you describe would warrant surgery because it's not always the stage if the prolapse but how it's affecting your day to day life. Are you in the UK?

Hi Lynn. I went to my GP about a prolapse where I was then referred to a urogynacologists who confirmed I had complete prolapse of bowels, bladder and uterus. After physio which didn't improve anything I was also referred to a colorectal surgeon. My main issue was my bowels as having a bm was becoming a big problem. I always had feeling is not finished if I did manage to go. I was splinting and digitising to empty my bowels but this was affecting back wall of my vagina.

I am 14wks post op for a total hysterectomy,A&P repair and a tvt. My bowels have been much better but the past few weeks I feel that they are slipping back into their old habits and I've had to splint a couple of times. Can't digitise due to the back wall repair. I was told by collateral consultant to contact them once I had been discharged from gyny. That has since happened and all is healing apart from I now have a urethrocele.

I have no idea what lies ahead for me regarding my bowels until I get to see the consultant about them but I worry that if my problems starts to get worse it will cause another prolapse.

In answer to your question I can't remember how long I waited before going to GP but I know I'd had it yrs but it was the pressure I was feeling that made me decide to go and not be able to empty bowels properly. It was a yr past Feb since I first went to GP.

If in doubt get it checked out again. Keep us informed of how you get on. X

Hi Lynn, I am 8 weeks post op for a rectocele, I also have chronic asthma so I cough alot, and hard. I contacted my GP after a few weeks of being badly constipated, One time I was in real discomfort and things did not 'feel right' as I was trying to go, it felt like my faeces was pusing into my vagina, I put a finger in and felt the back wall bulge, never felt it before and I knew it was not right. While I visited 'Dr google" I had a coughing fit and could feel the bulge even more! THAT was when I visited my GP. I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 2004, so that, constipation and chronic cough were my causes of the rectocele. 8 weeks on and things are good, my bowel movements are so much better and not so much wind. BUT I do still feel a bulge in my vagina if I cough too hard ( which I do try not to) My post op consultation is on 26th July, so time will tell.... I would get yourself checked by your GP again.. Good Luck

Hi Lynn. I had my first rectocele repair at the age of 39. I had a baby boy 10lb 10oz at the age of 26 and my body never fully recovered. I suffered in silence for 10 years as I was too embarrassed to go to the doctor. My symptoms were the same as yours and the worse part for me was having to manipulate the feaces out when I went to the bathroom. My organs were all still inside my body. The corrective surgery changed my quality of life massively so much so that I got cocky 5 years later and started lifting furniture etc and unfortunately I, myself, none else to blame caused further prolapse. I'm 10 weeks post op and again am so glad I had the repair done because the difference in just being able to go to the bathroom normally is incredible and your confidence returns as well as I don't know about you but I felt a loss of femininity with the bowel prolapse. Whether you do or don't get the repair I would consider investing in one of those squatting potties and drink loads of water.