By Dr. Ramakrishna Rao Boddu
Rectal prolapse is a very uncomfortable and painful problem where the lower part of the large intestine (the rectum) slips out of the body through the anus (the motion passage). Even though it causes a lot of suffering, many people in India, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, hide this problem because they feel ashamed.
This simple guide will help you understand what rectal prolapse is, why it happens, what the signs are, and how doctors fix it. We will also talk about when a special rectal prolapse repair for your control muscles is needed.
What is rectal prolapse?
Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum loses its normal support and slips out through the anus. The condition may begin with a small protrusion during bowel movements and gradually worsen over time.
Understanding the symptoms early can help patients seek timely treatment and avoid complications.
Why does rectal prolapse happen? (The causes)
There is no single reason for this problem. In India, rectal prolapse usually happens because the muscles that hold the pelvic area together become weak over time.
Long-term constipation and straining
If you do not eat enough fiber or drink enough water, you might strain hard in the toilet for years. This pressure slowly pushes the intestine out.
Difficult childbirths
Women who have had multiple normal deliveries in the past can have stretched or torn pelvic muscles, making them weak later in life.
Old age
As we get older, our body’s muscles and supporting tissues naturally become loose and weak. Rectal prolapse is very common in men and women over the age of 50.
Chronic cough or heavy lifting
If you have a long-term cough (like from asthma or smoking) or do hard physical labor lifting heavy weights, the constant pressure inside your stomach can push the bowel down.
What are the signs and symptoms of rectal prolapse?
The problem usually starts small and gets worse over time. Many people confuse rectal prolapse with severe piles (hemorrhoids), so it is important to know the real signs.
A lump coming out
You might feel or see a reddish mass coming out of the motion passage. At first, it only happens when you are in the toilet. Later on, it might slip out even when you cough, walk, or stand up.
Loss of bowel control (leakage)
Because the intestine is slipping out, it stretches the tight control muscle (the sphincter). This makes it hard to hold your motion, leading to accidental leakage of stool or sticky mucus in your undergarments.
Bleeding
The skin of the intestine that comes out is very soft and can easily get scratched, causing blood spots.
Feeling like your stomach is not empty
You might always feel like you need to go to the toilet, even after you just went.
Breaking the silence: overcoming the stigma of rectal prolapse
In our society, talking about toilet habits or leakage is considered a taboo. Because of this shame, patients in cities like Hyderabad and surrounding villages often suffer in silence for years. They hide soiled clothes from their family and stop going to weddings, temples, or social gatherings.
This can lead to deep sadness and depression. It is very important to understand that rectal prolapse is a mechanical medical problem, not something to be ashamed of. Modern doctors and clinics offer safe, private, and permanent solutions.
Tests needed before rectal prolapse treatment
When you visit a specialist, they will do a physical checkup. Before doing any surgery, they will run a few important tests to understand exactly how much damage there is.
Colonoscopy
A camera test to look inside the large intestine and make sure there are no other problems like tumors.
Special X-ray or MRI for bowel movement
This shows the doctor exactly what happens inside your body when you try to pass motion.
Muscle pressure test (manometry)
This is a very important test to check the strength of your control muscle (the anal sphincter). It tells the doctor if the muscle is completely torn or just stretched out.
Rectal prolapse treatment options: when is the repair needed?
Medicines or diet alone cannot push the intestine back inside permanently. Surgery is the only real cure for a full rectal prolapse. Depending on your age and health, doctors use two main methods.
1. Keyhole surgery through the stomach
Using small cuts and cameras (laparoscopy or robotic surgery), the doctor pulls the dropped intestine back up and fixes it to your lower backbone, sometimes using a soft mesh for support.
This is the best option for younger, fit patients because it heals fast and works very well.
2. Surgery from below (through the motion passage)
This is done entirely through the natural opening without any cuts on the stomach. It is mostly used for very old or weak patients who cannot handle major surgery.
When do you need anal muscle repair (sphincteroplasty)?
Many patients worry: “If the doctor fixes the prolapse, will my motion leakage stop?”
In most cases (about 50% to 70%), simply pulling the intestine back up into place is enough. Once the intestine stops stretching the control muscle, the muscle slowly regains its strength over a few months, and the leakage stops.
However, if the muscle pressure test shows that your control muscle is severely torn—maybe from a very old childbirth injury or years of extreme stretching—just fixing the prolapse will not stop the leakage.
This is when the doctor must do an anal muscle repair (sphincteroplasty). In this procedure, the surgeon carefully finds the torn ends of the control muscle and stitches them tightly together to give you back your bowel control.
Frequently asked questions about rectal prolapse
Can changing my diet fix rectal prolapse?
No. Eating more fiber and drinking water is good for early stages to prevent straining, but once the intestine fully comes out, you need surgery to put it back.
Is advanced keyhole surgery for rectal prolapse available in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?
Yes. Top hospitals in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), and Vijayawada offer the latest minimally invasive surgeries which give you very little pain and a fast recovery.
Will I get normal bowel control after rectal prolapse surgery?
Yes, most patients get their control back. If the damage is severe, the doctor will add the extra muscle repair surgery to make sure you have proper control again.
Are rectal prolapse surgeries covered by Aarogyasri or health insurance?
Yes. Because this is a necessary medical treatment, it is covered by Aarogyasri and most private health insurance policies. Please check with your hospital’s billing desk.
Conclusion
Rectal prolapse is a tough condition that steals a person’s peace of mind, but it is completely curable. With today’s advanced rectal prolapse treatments in India, you do not have to live with pain or embarrassment.
If you or a family member are facing this issue, break the silence and visit a proctology expert today to get your life back to normal.