Rectal prolapse is often treated with surgery but if symptoms are not bothersome or surgery is not safe, patients can avoid an operation. If patients choose not to undergo surgery, the prolapse will typically not get better and may often times get worse as time goes on. Symptoms of prolapse such as the bulge, pain, bleeding and incontinence can all progress over time as the pelvic floor and anal muscles weaken with age and ongoing stretch from the prolapse.

Non-surgical therapies may help some of the symptoms from rectal prolapse but will not fix the prolapse itself. This includes dietary and lifestyle changes, medications, work with a pelvic floor physical, and learning how to reinsert (reduce) the prolapse back into the anus to relieve pressure.

There are multiple surgical options that are safe and effective for patients of all age and fitness. The choice of which procedure to offer is based on the safest option for the patient. This is determined on the patient’s medical problems, previous surgeries, and safety of anesthesia. 

Surgery may be done with or without mesh. Sometimes, removing part of the colon to help with constipation is needed. If there are issues with prolapse of the vagina or bladder, your colorectal surgeon will recommend a specialist who fixes these issues (a urologist or a urogynecologist) to discuss combination surgery to fix both issues at the same time.