Rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse affects more people than you might expect. This is a private, judgment-free space to understand what you are dealing with and figure out your next steps.
At a glance
Rectal prolapse happens when part of the rectal wall slides downward and may protrude through the anus. It can range from a small internal shift to something more visible. Many people feel alarmed when they first notice it, but it is a well-understood condition with a range of management approaches. The guides and experiences below can help you make sense of what is going on and prepare for a conversation with your doctor.
Common symptoms people report
- A visible bulge or tissue protruding from the anus
- A feeling of something shifting or falling out of place
- Incomplete evacuation after bowel movements
- Mucus discharge or minor bleeding
- Difficulty controlling bowel movements
- Discomfort that worsens with standing or activity
Guides
Can rectal prolapse fix itself
Whether rectal prolapse can resolve on its own, what factors affect outcomes, and when intervention is needed.
Read guide →Delorme procedure: what to expect
How the Delorme procedure works for rectal prolapse — the technique, who it is suitable for, and what recovery involves.
Read guide →Internal rectal prolapse symptoms
What internal rectal prolapse feels like when nothing is visibly prolapsing — the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and what management looks like.
Read guide →Managing rectal prolapse: what people try
Learn about conservative and surgical approaches to rectal prolapse, what people report about daily management, and when to consider further care.
Read guide →Mucosal vs full-thickness prolapse
The difference between mucosal prolapse and full-thickness rectal prolapse — what they look like, how they are diagnosed, and what each means for treatment.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse and bowel urgency
How rectal prolapse causes bowel urgency, why it happens, and practical strategies for managing the urgency.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse and constipation
The relationship between rectal prolapse and constipation — how each contributes to the other and what can be done to break the cycle.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse banding
What banding involves for rectal prolapse, who it may be suitable for, and what people describe about the procedure and recovery.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse in elderly
Management options for rectal prolapse in older adults — balancing treatment effectiveness with the specific considerations of age and health.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse in women
Why rectal prolapse is more common in women, the contributing factors including childbirth and pelvic floor changes, and what women commonly describe about the experience.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse surgery options
An overview of surgical options for rectal prolapse — what each procedure involves, how they compare, and what people commonly describe about recovery.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse: patterns and care
Learn what rectal prolapse is, the difference between partial and full prolapse, what people commonly experience, and when to seek medical care.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse: pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises that people try for rectal prolapse — what strengthening involves, how people approach it, and when professional guidance matters.
Read guide →Rectal prolapse: what it feels like
What rectal prolapse looks and feels like in practice — the physical sensations, visual signs, and patterns people describe when tissue protrudes from the rectum.
Read guide →STARR procedure for prolapse
How the STARR procedure works for rectal prolapse and obstructed defecation — what it involves, who it is suitable for, and what recovery looks like.
Read guide →What people have been through
These are composite narratives drawn from multiple anonymized experiences. They represent common patterns, not any single person's story.
Living with rectal prolapse
What daily life looks like for people managing rectal prolapse — the practical routines, the challenges, and what helps most.
Read experience → Rectal prolapse: the discovery
A composite experience of how people commonly discover and come to terms with a rectal prolapse diagnosis — from the first sign to learning to manage.
Read experience → Rectal prolapse: the treatment decision
A composite experience of how people navigate the treatment decision after a rectal prolapse diagnosis — from the shock of discovery to choosing between surgical and conservative options.
Read experience →
Rectopexy surgery recovery
What recovery from rectopexy surgery is really like — the timeline, the challenges, and the patterns people describe during healing.
Read experience →Common questions
Can rectal prolapse get worse over time?
For some people, prolapse may gradually become more noticeable if left unaddressed. What starts as tissue appearing only during straining may begin to appear at other times. This is one of the reasons people often choose to discuss it with a doctor sooner rather than later.
Will I need surgery for rectal prolapse?
Not necessarily. Management depends on the type and degree of prolapse, as well as how much it affects daily life. Some people manage well with conservative measures, while others find that a surgical option gives them the most relief. A colorectal surgeon can help you understand what makes sense for your situation.
Is it safe to push the tissue back in?
Many people with prolapse do gently reduce (push back) protruding tissue, and doctors often advise this as a short-term measure. If the tissue will not go back, becomes very painful, or changes colour, that is a reason to seek prompt medical care.
Related conditions
When to seek care
If you experience any of the following, seek urgent medical care:
- Protruding tissue that will not go back in or appears dark or discoloured
- Heavier or persistent bleeding that does not settle
- Severe pain in the rectal area that comes on suddenly
- Complete inability to control bowel movements
- Fever alongside rectal symptoms