Aunt Vadge: had a rectocele but now have a protruding bump around vagina

TL;DR

After undergoing rectocele surgery, noticing a protruding bump near the vaginal opening can be concerning. It may indicate a urethral prolapse or caruncle, conditions that are not uncommon in individuals with weakened pelvic tissue, especially post-menopause. These conditions, while different from rectoceles, require immediate attention to prevent further complications. Understanding the location and nature of the bump is vital for diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of consulting a healthcare professional for a thorough examination and appropriate treatment to strengthen the pelvic floor.

Hi there Aunt Vadge, 

I had a rectocele on 8th December; still bleeding; I noticed a small protruding bump above the vaginal opening. Is this normal?

Yours,
Bumpy
Age: 53
Country/Area: USA
_____

Dear Bumpy,

It sounds like you could have a urethral prolapse or a urethral caruncle, which if you have lax pelvic tissue and prolapse in another area is not that uncommon, but it is not normal. You’ll be able to tell by the location of the protrusion – is it on the urethral meatus, or below? Skene’s ducts are below the urethra, as are Bartholin’s glands, so the clues are all in the location.

Pelvic tissue can become weakened over time, especially past menopause, and bit by bit it can start to cause prolapse symptoms like rectoceles and caruncles.

A urethral prolapse or caruncle can look like urethral cancer, urethral diverticulum, or a Skene’s duct cyst or abscess, so it’s important to go and get examined.

I’m not sure what treatments you have been recommended by your doctor, but you need to go and be examined. These issues only get worse without strengthening your pelvic floor, which must remain your immediate and urgent priority, under proper guidance by a pelvic physiotherapist.

I don’t mean to scare you, but you are only just seeing the results of prolapse on your body and that means it is occurring throughout your pelvis. You need to get a further diagnosis and effective treatments that work best when caught early.

Don’t do anything too vigorous in the meantime, and avoid heavy lifting. Downward pressure is the last thing your urethra and rectum need. If this is occuring with symptoms in both those areas, it’s happening throughout your whole pelvis. Don’t wait to see what falls out next.

Write anytime.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge  



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