About this topic
Muscles and strong bands of tissues support all the organs in a womans pelvis. Some of these organs are the bladder, colon, and uterus. If the muscles and tissues get weak, your organs may drop. When this happens, they may bulge in the birth canal or vagina. You may have a full feeling in your vagina. You may also have pain during sex. ‚
When the bladder falls or swells into the vagina, it is a cystocele. You may have urine leaking with laughing, sneezing, or coughing. You may also not be able to drain the bladder fully. ‚
If the lower part of the colon called the rectum falls or swells into the vagina, it is a rectocele. You may also have pain or problems passing stool. ‚
Surgery may improve your signs. The doctors put your bladder and rectum back in place and fix the weakness in your pelvic muscles. They also take out any extra tissue that is bulging into your vagina. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- If you have bleeding, use sanitary pads. Do not put anything in your vagina, like tampons or douche.
- Ask your doctor about bowel care.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you may take a bath, shower, or soak in water
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will replace or remove the packing in your vagina after a few days.
- Your doctor will remove the tube in your bladder after a few days.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Make your stools softer
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you may start to stretch, reach, or exercise. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat foods high in fiber to help soften stools. Good foods to eat are fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
What problems could happen?
- Vaginal bleeding
- Urine leaks during sneezing or coughing
- Infection
- Uterus bulges out of place (uterine prolapse)
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid hard stools or straining when going to the bathroom.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Do special exercises, called Kegels, to build up muscles around the bladder.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Problems passing urine. These include not able to pass urine, pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and persistent bleeding or pus in the urine.
- Bleeding or discharge from the cut sites
- Very bad vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Pain even when you have taken a drug
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Becomes more painful to pass urine or have a bowel movement
- Sudden increase in the amount of leakage
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or problems passing urine or having a bowel movement.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more leakage of urine or stool.
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons ‚
http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/rectocele/ ‚
National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/cystocele/ ‚
The American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq183.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140407T2122238448 ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚