Bladder Control

Prolapse

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

If you have an uncomfortable feeling of bulging, drooping, or pressure in your vagina, you may have a condition called prolapse or pelvic support problems. This occurs when the tissues that support the pelvic organs are damaged or stretched allowing the organ to drop down out of normal position and causing a bulge. Women with prolapsed pelvic organs may have a feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness in the pelvic region. Sometimes it feels as if something is "falling out." Prolapse also may cause incontinence.

Childbirth and aging are the two most common causes of this condition. During childbirth, the tissues of the pelvic organs may be damaged or weakened due to the stretching that can occur. As a result, these tissues may not provide as much support for the organs as necessary. Symptoms may worsen after menopause.

The main types of pelvic support problems include:

1. Cystocele, when the bladder is not supported properly.
2. Enterocele, when the small intestine is not supported properly.
3. Rectocele, when the rectum is not supported properly.
4. Uterine prolapse, when the uterus is not supported properly.
5. Vaginal prolapse, when the vagina is not supported properly.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007