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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pregnancy and childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common causes of rectoceles. This is because the muscles, ligaments and fascia that hold and support your vagina become stretched and weakened during pregnancy, labor and delivery. As a result, the more pregnancies you have, the greater chance you have of developing a rectocele.
Not everyone who has delivered a baby develops a rectocele. Some women have very strong supporting muscles, ligaments and fascia in the pelvis and may never have a problem. Women who have only cesarean deliveries are less likely to develop a rectocele.
Increased pelvic floor pressure
Other conditions and activities that can put pressure on the pelvic floor and cause a rectocele include:
- Chronic constipation or straining with bowel movements
- Chronic cough or bronchitis
- Repeated heavy lifting
- Being overweight or obese
- Park AJ, et al. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and nonsurgical management of posterior vaginal defects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- Tarnay CM. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2390520. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Pelvic organ prolapse. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007;110:717.
- Hughes D, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3159899. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- Park AJ, et al. Surgical management of posterior vaginal defects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- Cundiff GW, et al. Evaluation and treatment of women with rectocele: Focus on associated defecatory and sexual dysfunction. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2004;104:1403.
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