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.
Start here
The pages most people need first. Everything else is further down.
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: 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.
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 →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 →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 →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 →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
Explore by symptom
Start from what you're feeling.
Guides
Open a group to see every guide in it.
All guides
- Can rectal prolapse fix itself — Whether rectal prolapse can resolve on its own, what factors affect outcomes, and when intervention is needed.
- 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.
- Rectal prolapse and bowel urgency — How rectal prolapse causes bowel urgency, why it happens, and practical strategies for managing the urgency.
- 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.
- Rectal prolapse banding — What banding involves for rectal prolapse, who it may be suitable for, and what people describe about the procedure and recovery.
- Rectal prolapse in elderly — Management options for rectal prolapse in older adults — balancing treatment effectiveness with the specific considerations of age and health.
- Rectal prolapse in women — Why rectal prolapse is more common in women, the contributing factors including childbirth and pelvic floor changes.
- 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.
- 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.
What people have been through
These are composite narratives drawn from multiple anonymized experiences. They represent common patterns, not any single person's story.
After a procedure
- Rectal prolapse: the treatment decision — A composite experience of how people navigate the treatment decision after a rectal prolapse diagnosis
- Rectopexy surgery recovery — What recovery from rectopexy surgery is really like — the timeline, the challenges, and the patterns people describe during healing.
Living with it long term
- Living with rectal prolapse — What daily life looks like for people managing rectal prolapse — the practical routines, the challenges, and what helps most.
Getting a diagnosis
- 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.
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 Heavy bleeding or feeling faint? Get emergency help now. Emergency: 911
Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.
- Emergency
Heavy bleeding, black tarry stools, feeling faint, severe pain or trouble breathing.
Call 911 or go to the ER.
- Today
Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.
Call your doctor or go to urgent care.
- Soon
Bleeding or bowel changes nobody has checked, or anything lasting 3 weeks.
Book a doctor’s appointment.
Feeling overwhelmed? Call or text 988, any time.
See all the signs
For this topic, get medical advice if you notice:
- 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
Recording how you feel is not the same as being checked. These are the signs that need a doctor’s attention.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room now if you have:
- bleeding that will not stop, a lot of blood (the toilet water turns red, or you pass large clots), or any bleeding with feeling faint or dizzy
- fainting, a racing heart or trouble breathing
- confusion or slurred speech, extreme shivering, no urine in a day, or blotchy skin
- sudden severe belly pain, or a swollen, hard belly with vomiting or not passing stool or gas
- you cannot pass urine at all, or your bladder feels full and painful and you can’t empty it
- redness, swelling or severe pain spreading quickly around your anus, genitals or groin, especially with a fever or feeling very ill
- a fever with a painful swelling near your anus if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy or transplant medicines)
- black, tarry stools
Call your doctor or go to urgent care today (or the ER if you can’t be seen today) if you have:
- a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, vomiting, or feeling generally unwell
- pain that is getting worse over days, or severe pain that stops you sitting or sleeping
- a hot, swollen or very tender lump near your anus or at the top of the crease between your buttocks, or foul-smelling discharge
- trouble urinating
- bleeding that is getting heavier or more frequent, or blood mixed into your stool
- feeling much more tired than usual, looking pale, or getting out of breath more easily than you used to
- not passing stool for several days, or new belly pain
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- you have never had these symptoms checked by a doctor or nurse — whatever your age
- you have had rectal bleeding for more than 3 weeks
- your bowel movements have been looser, thinner or more frequent than usual for 3 weeks or more, or you have lost weight without trying
- symptoms have not settled after a week or so, or keep coming back
- you notice a new lump near your anus, between your buttocks or in your belly, or an itch or discharge that does not clear
- you have new leakage or trouble controlling your bowels
- you are 45 or over, or have a family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and any of these symptoms are new for you
If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask. If things feel overwhelming, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If you don’t feel safe, call 911.
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