I`ve been reading this site with relief, I too have been suffering with constipation and `helping out my poo`I may not have a poo for 7-10 days, The pain has been distressing and the fact that I have been suffering for 25 years is awful,I am also embarrassed about the tears I have around the rim of my anus, it looks so unpleasant and is very embarrassing,I also have an anal fistula that will not heal and I`ve read it will require surgery, I will at some stage have to go to the G.P as it is becoming unbearable

This site and the information on it and the posted comments are brilliant. Such a relief to know not alone and that it is not something to live with.

I now take medication to keep things moving and this has helped. I am to go back to my Dr after having a baby (if I am fortunate to have one) and we will look again at my situation, as my Dr said for me no point sorting anything out if you are going to stretch that area during birth. Thankfully I don't suffer pain and generally things are better with the medication, just stretched muscles don't repair themselves.

I truley hope that Channel 4 keep this site live for ages, as it would be sad for this fantastic information to be lost.

Thank you

i am on the second day after having a rectocele operation, i have been in pain for the last five years, i am stil in pain from the op but the prolaps has gone, just hope the operation is a success, only wish i had more info on aftercare, not sure what i should be doing, was told nothing, just see the Dr in six weeks time, my bottom is sore and i feel like a urangatan

Can anyone please help me? I am a 63 year old male and for 3 years now I have been having terrible stomach pains, whenever I eat I get painfully bloated, I know that this is disgusting but I have to put some moisturising cream on a piece of toilet tissue and push my finger into my backside so that I can poo, this is not always because I'm constipated but even when the stools are quite soft, it seems as if my backside has stopped working, I have no outward sings of any problem, am I doing myself any harm by doing this? I am disabled and mobility is very limited, I wish to God that I could stop this and find a normal way to go to the loo, is there such a thing as a lazy bowel or anus? if anyone can help I will be forever in their debt, thankyou.

I have had similar problems to others on this page but it started before i had my child 8 years ago. my partner has just dumped me because its uncomfortable to have sex and i was too embarrassed to say why,so found myself making excuses.After learning that my problem has a solution,i am going to book an appointment with my gp and hope something is done.Maybe i wont feel so abnormal now.I might have saved my relationship if i had done it sooner.

I had a rectocele repair 4 weeks ago as I was only going to the loo about every 7 – 10 days & also having to insert my fingers etc as my bowel was bulging down & into my vagina. To identify the condition I had the test with the white markers which did not come out & I also had a "DEFACATING PROCTOGRAM" which was embarrassing but showed exactly what was happening to my bowel. Unfortunatley I am still suffering from constipation & taking movicol, ducasate, senna & picolax on a regular basis but I am not bulging down below anymore!
I am off to see the surgeon in 2 weeks & unsure what the next step will be.

Following the programme and over 10 years of pressing on my perineum to be able to empty my bowels, i plucked up courage to go to my GP. 5 weeks later have now been seen by a colorectal surgeon who confirmed i have a large rectocele. I now await barium enema x-ray tests so that he can ascertain which surgery i need.
Although i'm scared, i'm also very relieved to at last be dealing with this problem and would encourage others in the same position to do so too. Can't describe how at ease the Gp and surgeon made me feel, they're dealing with stuff like this every day and were in no way shocked at what i was telling them. Both reinforced that i was right to seek help now as this problem will not go away, it will only get worse as time progresses.
So please don't sit at home worrying, go and talk to someone, the burden lifted is immense.

I was told I have a rectocele about 15 years and that nothing could be done. I was in bits because I have to manually evacuate and it is painful. my anus is always sore and I have to scrub my hands severely after an evacuation. I have been prescribed Movicol several times a day because I get bunged up. I cannot push anything out qand the bulge just gets enormous. Can anything be done nowadays to help me, as I have just been putting up with this for so long?

"to have to insert a finger into my vagina and press(...), and help out the poo." Now feeling normal 54yrs

Sorry, but I had to copy this! It is exactly what I have to do when I go to the loo! I am 34 and have been doing that for about 2 years now.
My son is almost 3.
I told my GP, a woman, that I had difficulties evacuating but she did nothing. It's normal, she said.
I always feel as if I'm bloated inside, as if something is trying to come out of the vagina from behind! That is not normal!
Anyway, now I know what to ask for and the right Questions to ask!
Thanks

This just makes me want to cry – with relief! I'm not the only one. I've been doing the same thing – pushing my preineum or 'digging out the poo' for over 10 years, since even before my children were born. I never spoke about it, not to my husband or even my sisters and closest friends, as I was just too ashamed. I finally plucked up the courage to see my GP about it 2 years ago but was told it was nothing serious and just to carry on. Now I know I am not alone, and, more importantly, that something can be done about it. Thank you channel 4 – I am seeing my GP tomorrow, and even if it takes a while to get this sorted out, I'm already feeling better as the shame has gone.