Why won't rectal prolapse heal?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on May 18, 2025
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The causes of rectal prolapse are complex, and they are not fully understood at present. It is considered to be related to multiple factors: The first factor is anatomical, where underdeveloped or malnourished children, or weak elderly individuals are prone to having weak and powerless levator ani muscles and thin pelvic fascia. Other anatomical issues include a less curved or overly straight sacrum in children, surgical trauma, or damage to the muscles and nerves around the anus. The second factor is increased abdominal pressure, such as from constipation, diarrhea, prostate enlargement, chronic cough, or difficulty urinating, all of which can heighten abdominal pressure and exacerbate rectal prolapse. The third factor is diseases around the anus, such as internal hemorrhoids and rectal polyps that frequently protrude, pulling down the rectal mucosa and easily inducing rectal prolapse. Therefore, its causes are complex, and so is its recovery.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can you get pregnant with rectal prolapse?

Patients with rectal prolapse can become pregnant, but if diagnosed with rectal prolapse before pregnancy, it is advisable to first surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa. This is because during pregnancy, as the fetus grows, the pressure in the abdominal cavity gradually increases. Female patients may experience worsening of the rectal prolapse due to increased abdominal pressure, which could lead to increased congestion and edema, thereby exacerbating the severity of existing hemorrhoids or the severity of the rectal prolapse. Therefore, if there are symptoms of rectal prolapse before pregnancy, surgical treatment is recommended. If rectal prolapse occurs during pregnancy, conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine enemas can be chosen, and surgery can be considered after childbirth.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can you eat black fish with rectal prolapse?

Patients with rectal prolapse are advised not to consume seafood, lamb, and other stimulating foods for long periods or in excessive amounts. Overconsumption of lamb, seafood, or spicy and stimulating foods can easily lead to dry stools. When stools are dry, patients will involuntarily strain during bowel movements, which can worsen the rectal prolapse. In addition to needing a light and liquid diet, patients with rectal prolapse require prompt treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and delaying the disease. The primary treatment method is surgical removal combined with local sclerosing agent injection therapy. After surgery, it is important for patients to avoid squatting or excessive physical exercise for up to six months to prevent episodes of rectal prolapse.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can glycerin suppositories be used for rectal prolapse?

If a patient experiences difficulty in defecation or constipation due to rectal prolapse, enemas can be used to help facilitate bowel movements. The basic principle behind the defecation difficulties caused by rectal prolapse is due to the prolapsed, lax mucosa blocking the anal opening, preventing normal excretion of stool. Alternatively, when excretion does occur, it may be impeded by the mucosal obstruction, obstructing the normal passage of feces. Therefore, besides using enemas to address difficulty in defection and bowel movement, it is more necessary to surgically remove the lax mucosa to achieve a fundamental treatment. The use of enemas alone can only provide temporary relief of symptoms and does not address the root cause of the problem. For rectal mucosal prolapse, a stapled hemorrhoidopexy can be performed to surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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How to check for rectal prolapse?

Rectal prolapse is generally divided into internal rectal mucosal prolapse and external prolapse, also known as rectal procidentia. If it is an internal prolapse, an anoscopy combined with defecography is required to examine the degree of laxity of the local rectal mucosa. If it is an external prolapse or rectal procidentia, the patient generally presents with a prolapsed swelling when squatting, and this can be further evaluated with a digital rectal examination to assess the local tightness of the anus. If rectal prolapse occurs, surgical treatment is recommended as it tends to be quite effective. In cases of pediatric prolapse or mild prolapse, traditional Chinese medicine enemas may be used to alleviate local symptoms.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Can people with rectal prolapse eat beef?

Rectal prolapse mainly occurs when the rectal mucosa prolapses out of the anus during defecation. If the symptoms are severe, the rectal mucosa can also protrude out of the anus during prolonged standing or exertion. As for whether beef can be eaten, because beef is generally spicy and many cooking methods are spicy, spicy foods can affect bowel movements, causing congestion and swelling of the anal mucosa. Therefore, it is best to avoid spicy beef. Furthermore, beef tends to cause "internal heat" in the body, which can lead to constipation. It is recommended that patients with rectal prolapse eat more vegetables and fruits to maintain smooth bowel movements. Thus, if one really wants to eat beef, it's best to either not make it spicy or to eat it in moderation.