Rectal balloon catheters, sometimes also called “anorectal expulsion balloon catheters”, are devices used by certain pelvic health providers to help retrain your ability to have a bowel movement without pain, straining, or incomplete emptying. Sometime certain muscles squeeze close at the wrong time making difficult to have a bowel movement or empty all the way. Other times, our bodies are not properly sensing when bowel movement is nearing the end of the line making it difficult to know when we need to go to the bathroom to have a bowel movement. For others, the ability to keep bowel movements in when they sense the urge to go has been lost. When used properly, balloon catheters can be incredibly helpful tools in retraining this system within our bodies.
Rectal balloon catheters must be used by a properly trained pelvic health provider. Unfortunately, insurance and healthcare clinics often do not cover the costs of these single use tools.
To use, lubricant is applied to the rectal balloon catheter and it is gradually inserted into your rectum while the balloon is deflated. It is passed further into the rectum and then inflated to the size of a standard bowel movement or less with air. Your provider will then help you learn to sense where the balloon is in your body, how to pass the balloon appropriately, and help coordinate abdominal muscle contractions with the pelvic floor. By practicing these steps with your provider using the rectal balloon catheter, you will become better at using these skills when you are trying to have an actual bowel movement later or are trying to keep bowel movement in when you aren’t yet ready to go.
One other quick note about rectal balloon catheters: you will need a graduated syringe and stop-cock to help fill the balloon with air. Make sure either you or your provider have all three parts before your training session.