Rectocele
Rectocele (RC) is a condition in which the anterior rectal wall and posterior vaginal wall bulge into the vagina during defecation, causing outlet obstructive defecation. It is one type of outlet obstruction syndrome and falls within the scope of “constipation” and “difficulty passing stools” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Stools are not hard, but are difficult to pass; fatigue and lack of energy, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, reduced appetite and poor appetite; pale tongue with white coating; wiry pulse.
In plain language:
- Stools are not especially hard, but are very difficult to pass and require considerable effort.
- You may feel exhausted and weak, with little energy for everyday activities.
- You may become short of breath easily, speak little, and feel reluctant to talk.
- Your appetite may be poor, and you may eat little or have little interest in food.
- The tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- The pulse may feel taut, like a tightened string. * Stools are not especially hard, but are very difficult to pass and require considerable effort.
- You may feel exhausted and weak, with little energy for everyday activities.
- You may become short of breath easily, speak little, and feel reluctant to talk.
- Your appetite may be poor, and you may eat little or have little interest in food.
- The tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- The pulse may feel taut, like a tightened string.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify Qi and moisten the intestines; strengthen the Spleen and raise Yang.
In plain language:
- In TCM, this approach is intended to supplement Qi and moisten the intestines, supporting intestinal movement and propulsion, softening hard stools, and making bowel movements easier and less strenuous.
- It aims to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach’s transformational functions and promote the ascent of clear Yang. In TCM terms, this is intended to support appetite and absorption, ease fatigue, abdominal bloating and loose stools, and gradually reduce the sensation of prolapse or heaviness.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass; frequent belching; fullness and distension in the chest and flanks; thin, greasy tongue coating; wiry pulse.
In plain language:
- Stools are hard and dry and difficult to pass.
- Bowel movements are difficult and require considerable effort.
- You may burp frequently.
- You may feel fullness or discomfort in the chest and flanks.
- The tongue coating may be thin and greasy.
- The pulse may feel taut, like a tightened string.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Regulate Qi, relieve stagnation, and promote bowel movements.
In plain language:
- In TCM, this approach aims to promote the smooth flow of Qi and ease feelings of fullness and blockage.
- It aims to address stagnation in the intestines and support intestinal movement.
- It aims to make bowel movements easier and reduce straining and the feeling of incomplete evacuation.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
There is an urge to defecate, but straining on the toilet is weak and ineffective; nausea, a feeling of heat and restlessness, night sweats, fatigue and weakness, and reluctance to speak; pale-red tongue with a thin, scant coating; fine pulse.
In plain language:
- You feel the urge to have a bowel movement, but have little strength to strain when on the toilet.
- You may also experience nausea, a restless feeling of heat, night sweats, fatigue and weakness, and low energy for speaking.
- The tongue may be pale red.
- The tongue coating may be very thin and scant.
- The pulse may feel fine.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify Qi and nourish Yin to promote bowel movements.
In plain language:
- In TCM, this approach aims to replenish Qi and support intestinal propulsion, addressing fatigue and difficulty bearing down.
- It aims to nourish fluids to ease dryness and moisten the intestines.
- It aims to support intestinal movement and passage of stool, addressing constipation and straining.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Difficulty passing stools; pale complexion; cool hands and feet; cold abdominal pain or aching and coldness in the lower back; pale tongue with white coating; deep, slow pulse.
In plain language:
- Bowel movements are difficult and feel strained and irregular.
- Your face may look pale and lack color.
- Your hands and feet may often feel cold and be slow to warm up.
- You may feel cold and experience a dull pain in your abdomen, or aching and coldness in your lower back.
- The tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- The pulse may feel deep and somewhat slow.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm Yang and promote bowel movements.
In plain language:
- In TCM, this approach aims to warm Yang and dispel internal cold, helping warm the abdomen and support strength.
- It aims to support intestinal propulsion and ease associated discomforts such as aversion to cold, abdominal pain, and cool hands and feet.
- It aims to soften and move stool to ease difficulty passing stools and straining.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Song Jianjian, Xin Xuezhi, Xu Yuanhui. Application of rectal mucosal circumcision combined with posterior vaginal wall repair and a self-formulated laxative formula in the treatment of rectocele-type constipation in women[J]. Chinese Journal of Colorectal Diseases (Electronic Edition), 2016, 5(1): 79–81.
- Zeng Juanni, Tang Qianli. Current status and prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of rectocele[C]//Proceedings of the 2008 Annual Academic Conference on TCM Surgery, 2008.
- Mu Guoxin, Sun Jie, Pan Tingfu. Clinical observation of transanal circumferential rectal mucosal resection combined with local injection of Xiaozhiling in the treatment of rectocele[J]. Southwest Military Medicine, 2009, 11(4): 707–708.
- Liu Tielong. Rectocele[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Rural Doctors, 2004, 11(6): 2–3.