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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThe following factors may increase your risk of experiencing a rectocele:
- Genetics. Some women are born with weaker connective tissues in their pelvic area, making them naturally more susceptible to rectoceles. Others are born with stronger connective tissues.
- Childbirth. If you have vaginally delivered multiple children, you have a higher risk of developing a rectocele. If you've had tears in the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus (perineal tears) and incisions that extend the opening of the vagina (episiotomies) during childbirth, you also may be at higher risk.
- Aging. Your risk of experiencing a rectocele increases as you age because you naturally lose muscle mass, elasticity and nerve function as you grow older, causing muscles to stretch or weaken.
- Having a hysterectomy. Having your uterus removed may contribute to weakness in the muscles, ligaments and fascia surrounding your vagina.
- Obesity. Although the reasons aren't entirely clear, a high body mass index is linked to an increased risk of rectocele. This may be due to the chronic stress that excess body weight places on pelvic floor muscles.
