Pelvic Support Problems Also called: Cystocele, Enterocele, Pelvic prolapse, Rectocele Summary The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that form a sling or hammock across the pelvis. In women, it holds the uterus, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs in place so that they can work properly. The pelvic floor can become weak or be injured. The main causes are pregnancy and childbirth. Other causes include being overweight, radiation treatment, surgery, and getting older. Common symptoms include Feeling heaviness, fullness, pulling, or aching in the vagina. It gets worse by the end of the day or during a bowel movement. Seeing or feeling a “bulge” or “something coming out” of the vagina Having a hard time starting to urinate or emptying the bladder completely Having frequent urinary tract infections Leaking urine when you cough, laugh, or exercise Feeling an urgent or frequent need to urinate Feeling pain while urinating Leaking stool or having a hard time controlling gas Being constipated Having a hard time making it to the bathroom in time Your health care provider diagnoses the problem with a physical exam, a pelvic exam, or special tests. Treatments include special pelvic muscle exercises called Kegel exercises. A mechanical support device called a pessary helps some women. Surgery and medicines are other treatments. NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Find an Expert American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Videos and Tutorials Anterior Repair with Processed Dermis OR-Live Array Anterior vaginal wall repair Anterior vaginal wall repair (surgical treatment of urinary incontinence) – slideshow Pelvic floor muscle training exercises Rectal prolapse Uterine prolapse Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Cystocele National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pelvic Floor Disorders National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pelvic Organ Prolapse National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Prolapse National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectocele National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Uterine Prolapse National Institutes of Health Specifics Cystocele (Fallen Bladder) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Rectal Prolapse American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Rectocele American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Small Bowel Prolapse (Enterocele) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Stress Incontinence Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Uterine Prolapse Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies How Are Pelvic Floor Disorders Commonly Treated? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Organ Prolapse–Surgery American Urogynecologic Society Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Surgical Mesh Food and Drug Administration Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh Implants Food and Drug Administration Diagnosis and Tests How Are Pelvic Floor Disorders Diagnosed? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Dynamic Pelvic Floor Array Ultrasound — Pelvis Array Start Here Kegel Exercise Tips National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Pelvic Floor Disorders National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Floor Dysfunction American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Pelvic Organ Prolapse Food and Drug Administration Pelvic Organ Prolapse American Urogynecologic Society Pelvic Support Problems American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Living With Kegel Exercises for Your Pelvic Muscles American Academy of Family Physicians Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes: Improving Urinary Urgency, Frequency and Urge Incontinence American Urogynecologic Society Vaginal Pessary American Academy of Family Physicians Prevention and Risk Factors Prevention of Vaginal and Uterine Prolapse American Urogynecologic Society Journal Articles Pelvic Support Problems Patient Handouts Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases What is a Urogynecologist? American Urogynecologic Society
