Rectal Prolapse

CAUSES

Several factors may contribute to the development of mucosal rectal prolapse: weakening of the anal sphincter muscle, bowel incontinence, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal straining upon urination, which is often associated with prostatic hypertrophy and haemorrhoids.
Several factors may contribute to the development of total rectal prolapse: rectal tumour or polyp, haemorrhoids, excessive intra-abdominal pressure (e.g. due to constipation or coughing), excessive depth of the abdominal cavity, weakening of the anal sphincter muscle, as well as stretching of the ligaments that support the rectum inside the pelvis.