Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA 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
