What is a cystocele?

When the wall between a woman's bladder and the vagina weakens, the bladder may drop or sag into the vagina. This disorder is called a cystocele.

Cystoceles are grouped into grades:

What causes a cystocele?

A cystocele may be caused by:

• Advancing age  

• Overweight

• Childbirth

• Heavy lifting

• Straining muscles during childbirth

• Chronic coughing

• Constipation

• Repeated straining during bowel movements

• Previous pelvic surgery

• Weak muscles around the vagina caused by lack of estrogen after menopause

What are the symptoms of a cystocele?

Symptoms of cystocele include:

• Feeling of pelvic heaviness or fullness

• Bulge in the vagina that you can feel

• Aching or a feeling of pressure in the lower belly or pelvis

• Lower back pain

• Frequent urinary tract infections

• Need to urinate often or urgently

• Leakage of urine

• Incomplete emptying of the bladder

• Constipation

• Needing to push organs back up into the vagina to empty the bladder or have a bowel movement

• Pain during sex

• Problems putting in tampons or vaginal applicators

• Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing, lifting, or coughing or as the day goes on

• Bleeding from the exposed skin

How is a cystocele diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a physical and pelvic exam. Other tests may include:

• Cystourethrogram (voiding cystogram). This is an X-ray of the bladder taken while the woman is urinating and with the bladder and urethra filled with contrast dye. It shows the shape of the bladder and any blockages.

• Urodynamics. This is a test of bladder function. It shows how much urine the bladder holds before causing an urge to void. It shows the cause of leaking urine.

• MRI. This test can be used to determine the extent of bladder prolapse.

Other tests may be needed to find out if there are any problems in the other areas of the urinary system.

How is a cystocele treated?

Treatment depends on the grade of the cystocele and may include:

• Activity changes. Not doing certain activities, such as heavy lifting or straining during bowel movements, that could cause the cystocele to get worse.

• Weight loss. Losing weight may reduce symptoms.

• Bladder training. This may reduce symptoms of leaking and allow longer intervals between voids.

• Kegel exercises. Regular, daily exercises of the pelvic muscles to make them stronger.

• Pessary. This is a device placed in the vagina to hold the bladder in place.

• Surgery. May be used to move the bladder back into a more normal position.

• Hormone replacement therapy. This may help strengthen the muscles around the vagina and bladder. If you are thinking about hormone replacement therapy, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits first.

Key points about cystocele

• A cystocele is when the wall between the bladder and the vagina gets weak. This can cause the bladder to drop or sag into the vagina.

• It may be caused by things that increase pressure on the pelvic muscles.

• Treatment depends on the severity of the cystocele. It may include staying away from certain activities, surgery, or other methods.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.