Aside from noticing rectal tissue outside of your anus, a prolapsed rectum may cause several other symptoms. If you pass bloody stools, see blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement or see blood on the tissue while wiping, do not ignore it. Rectal bleeding is a sign of colon cancer, but it also has several more innocuous causes including ulcers, gastrointestinal viruses, hemorrhoids or even a prolapse. You should never assume the cause of the bleeding – see your doctor and discuss it.

You might first notice a prolapse following a coughing or sneezing fit. If you have a rectal prolapse, the tissues can protrude with the increased pressure from coughing or sneezing and then retract when you are finished.