About this topic
Muscles and strong bands of tissues hold up all the organs in your pelvis. If the muscles and tissues get weak, your organs can push into the birth canal (vagina). You may have a full feeling in your vagina. The organs in your pelvis may move out of their normal place. Then, the organs either bulge or drop out of an opening. Sometimes, the doctor is able to see the organ outside of the vaginal opening. ‚
Your bladder may push into the front vaginal wall, which is a cystocele. Your lower part of your large bowel or rectum may push into the vaginal wall, which is a rectocele. You may have other part of the bowel push into the vaginal wall, which is an enterocele. When the uterus or womb drops or falls into the vagina, it is a prolapsed womb. Sometimes the walls of the vagina fall down on themselves, which is a vaginal vault prolapse. ‚
Surgery is sometimes done to help your signs. The doctors do surgery and put your bladder and rectum back in place. The doctors also take out any extra tissue that is bulging into your vagina. ‚
What are the causes?
Weak pelvic tissues can let organs drop into the vaginal canal. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Giving birth
- Taking out the womb or other pelvic surgery
- Loss of estrogen with menopause
- Aging
- Being too overweight
- Heavy lifting
- Very bad or long-standing hard stools
What are the main signs?
- You may leak urine or stool. You may have more problems when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run, or lift something.
- Problems with your bladder like not being able to empty your bladder fully, needing to pass urine more often, or urinary tract infections
- Feeling of heaviness, pressure, or pulling in the pelvic area. You may have more problems when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or stand.
- Bulge into or out of the vagina, urethra, or anus
- Pain in your pelvis, lower back, or with sex
- Trouble going to the bathroom
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history. The doctor will do a vaginal and rectal exam while you are lying or standing. The doctor may ask you to cough during the exam to check for leaking urine. You may have no signs and your doctor finds the prolapse by doing a pelvic exam. ‚
If your vaginal prolapse is more advanced, your doctor may check your bladder and pelvic muscles. The doctor may order: ‚
- MRI scan
- Ultrasound
- Special x-rays
- Special tests to look inside your bladder and urethra
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your doctor will suggest treatment based on how bad your prolapse is. You may need to: ‚
- Limit how much you lift, strain, or how hard you work out.
- Use a pessary ¢ ˆ ’ A tool that is put into the vagina to support the pelvic organs
- Do Kegel exercises to make the pelvic muscles tighter
- Lose weight, if needed
- Do bladder training ¢ ˆ ’ You may be asked to try and empty your bladder at certain times each day
- Take estrogen
- Have physical therapy, which may include biofeedback, exercise, electrical stimulation, or manual therapy
- Have surgery based on what kind of prolapse you have. Prolapse most often gets worse. Talk to your doctor and together you can make a plan for more care.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Try not to lift heavy objects.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Empty your bladder often. Do not let it get too full.
Where can I learn more?
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq012.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120802T0006568738 ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prolapse-of-the-uterus/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚