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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most cases, your doctor diagnoses a rectocele during a pelvic examination of your vagina and rectum.
Possible tests for rectocele include:
- Pelvic exam. During the exam, your doctor may ask you to bear down as if having a bowel movement. This may cause the rectocele to bulge, so your doctor can assess its size and location. To check the strength of your pelvic muscles, you may also be instructed to contract them, as if you are stopping the stream of urine. Your doctor may examine you while lying down and while standing up.
- Questionnaire. You may fill out a form that helps your doctor assess your degree of prolapse and how much it affects your quality of life. Information gathered also helps guide treatment decisions.
- Imaging tests. Imaging tests usually aren't needed to diagnose a rectocele. Rarely, your doctor may identify something during the physical exam that needs further evaluation. In that case, you may undergo an imaging test, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an X-ray exam, to determine the size of the rectocele and how efficiently your rectum empties (defecography).
References
- 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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