How effective is pelvic floor repair surgery for rectocele?

A rectocele is a bulge of the front wall of the rectum into the vagina when the supporting tissue has weakened. Repair strengthens that area and may reduce vaginal pressure, a bulge, or the need to press around the vagina to help stool pass. Constipation, slow bowel movement, pelvic muscle coordination, and other prolapse can cause similar symptoms, so surgery is not a direct treatment for every bowel complaint.

Your clinician will consider the examination, bowel habits, pain, bladder symptoms, prior surgery, and response to non-surgical care. Recovery usually includes measures to keep stools soft and avoid straining while the repair heals.

Discuss bowel management, pelvic floor physiotherapy, and a pessary where appropriate before choosing an operation. Ask which symptoms the surgeon expects to change and whether another prolapse needs treatment. Afterward, follow advice about fluids, prescribed stool-softening measures, lifting, exercise, and sexual activity. Avoid straining and report new symptoms early. See [Pelvic Floor Repair Surgery](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/pelvic-floor-repair-surgery/) for treatment information.

Seek urgent help after surgery for severe worsening pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, inability to pass urine, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Contact the surgical team for fever, foul-smelling discharge, wound concerns, persistent vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, or a sudden worsening of the vaginal bulge. New rectal bleeding also deserves prompt medical assessment.

Is the rectocele causing my bowel symptoms? Could constipation or muscle coordination be contributing? What non-surgical care should I try? How will you protect bowel function, and what should recovery feel like?