Rectal Prolapse on Elderly Lady

linda am I right in thinking the prolapse is protruding out of her rectum? Her GP needs to refer your mother to a consultant after all she's in excellent health and shouldn't have the worry of it happening at awkward times. Surgery will rectify it and successfully.

Hi LInda,

Matron is right, get a referral. In the meantime, if your mum strains when toileting get her to squat or use a toilet stool to raise her knees into a more friendly toileting position - it takes the pressure off the pelvic floor/prolapse. There is also a product (I might get sensored here) that can be used to help with a bowel movement, it is used vaginally and helps to put the rectum back into position to defacate properly - it was designed by an NHS nurse and is very effective. 

So, whsilst your mum is waiting for a referral, no straining, toilet stool, posture correction (BBC- bum at the back of the chair) walk tall, and pelvic floor exercises. If your Mum has a rectocele she is more likely to suffer with a cystocele (bladder prolpase) - its just the other side weakening in unision I am afraid. Google Living with prolpase for pointers. And, I am compelled to mention this to you also Linda, but pelvic floor weakness is hereditary, so if your mum is suffering, you are more likely to share a similar weakness. Time to strengthen up and take precautionary measures all round. A good physio can help your mum maximise her exerises too for the best resulyts, because even f your mum has surgery she will still have the weakness so strengthening up all round will benefit her no end.

Good luck.

Hi Linda, my dear Mum had exactly the same in her late 80's, she too was in good health although she had A Fib and was on warfarin which she had to swop for Heparin for a week beforehand. She had an op under sedation, no problems, all went well and the problem was sorted. They may well do your Mums under sedation too, tell her not to worry and go for it.

My Mum is now 82 and a few years ago (maybe 4) she had a rectocele repair. It was prolapsing right out. She went through it fine and isn't in that greater health already, before that. That seems all sorted as she doesn't talk about any problems anymore. Tell your Mum to go for it.