Cystocele

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
When to seek medical advice

Tests and diagnosis
Treatments and drugs
Prevention
Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

A cystocele occurs when the wall between a woman's bladder and vagina weakens and stretches, allowing the bladder to bulge into the vagina. A cystocele may also be called a prolapsed bladder.

A cystocele may occur from excessive straining, such as during childbirth, chronic constipation or heavy lifting. It may also occur after menopause, when estrogen decreases. Therefore, older women and those who've given birth to several children are more likely to develop a cystocele.

For mild and moderate cystoceles, self-care measures or nonsurgical treatments are often effective. In more severe cases of cystocele, surgery may be necessary to keep the vagina and other pelvic organs in their proper positions.

Symptoms