What is diastasis recti? Diastasis recti or diastasis recti in women is a loose belly after giving birth, but the condition can affect men too. The most noticeable symptom of diastasis recti is a sagging abdomen (pockets of fat in the lower abdomen). A loose stomach is caused by muscle weakness in the abdomen. What are the symptoms of diastasis recti? If you have diastasis recti, you will most likely notice a bulge in your abdomen that is more pronounced when you strain or contract your abdominal muscles, such as when sitting. In addition to the bulge in the abdomen, you may also experience: Lower back pain; Bad posture; Constipation; Bloating What causes diastasis recti? Diastasis recti occurs when too much stress is placed on the abdominal muscles. This can cause them to stretch and separate. The separation of the muscles allows organs that are inside the abdomen, especially the intestines, to push their way between the muscles, forming a protrusion (hernia). In women, the most common cause of diastasis recti is pregnancy. This is because the growing uterus puts pressure on the abdominal muscles, causing them to stretch and separate. The condition can also occur in men or in women who have never been pregnant. The hallmark of diastasis recti in men is a bulge that appears between the abdominal walls when getting up from a lying or sitting position. Obesity can cause diastasis recti because excess fat deposits put additional pressure on the abdominal muscles. Causes in men usually include: Frequent or rapid changes in weight; Weight lifting; Some abdominal exercises; Long-term or short-term abdominal swelling associated with fluid inside the abdominal cavity from conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver or abdominal cancer; Old age; Genetic predisposition Diastasis recti also occurs in newborn babies, especially those born prematurely, as their abdominal muscles are not fully developed. The condition usually resolves without treatment. There is some evidence of cases of diastasis recti in men with HIV. This is because HIV changes the way the body stores fat and some of it accumulates in the abdominal cavity. Abdominal fat displacement can cause increased intra-abdominal pressure. Increased pressure may put men with HIV at increased risk of diastasis recti. Bibliography: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Akram, J. & Matzen, SH Rectus abdominis diastasis Brauman, D. Diastasis recti: Clinical anatomy. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Healthline. What You Should Know About Diastasis Recti