About this topic
Muscles and strong bands of tissues support all the organs in a womans pelvis. Some examples are the bladder, large bowel, and womb. If the muscles and tissues get weak, your organs may drop. When your organs drop, 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. ‚
A cystocele is when the bladder falls or swells into the vagina. You may have urine leaking when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. You may also not be able to drain the bladder fully. ‚
A rectocele is when the lower part of the large bowel (the rectum) falls or swells into the vagina. You may also have pain or problems passing stool. ‚
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 you need to do.
- If your doctor fits you with a pessary, follow guidelines on how to care for it. You may be taught to put in and take out your pessary. Others go the the doctors office to have the pessary changed and cleaned.
- Your doctor may suggest you do Kegel exercises. These will help strengthen your pelvic muscles. Talk with your doctor about how to do Kegel exercises.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may order you to have a pelvic exam. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Help with leaking urine
- Make your stools softer
- Replace hormones
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
Check with your doctor about physical activities. ‚
- Lifting things that weigh more than 10 pounds
- Stretching or over-reaching
- Exercise not approved by your doctor
- Having sex
What changes to diet are needed?
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Eat a high fiber diet to keep stools soft.
What problems could happen?
- Vaginal spotting or light bleeding
- Embarrassment
- Avoidance of social situations
- Problems with sex
- Problems walking or with other activities
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid hard stools or straining when going to the bathroom.
- Keep a healthy weight.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Problems passing urine such as not able to pass urine, pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and persistent bleeding in the urine.
- 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 condition.
- 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 and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/cystocele/ ‚
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq012.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120620T0805531793 ‚
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. ‚