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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support your bladder, uterus and rectum — the organs that fill your pelvic cavity. If the connections between your pelvic floor muscles and ligaments are weak to begin with, you may be at greater risk of bladder prolapse. Intense pelvic pressure may stretch and weaken these structures, allowing organs such as the bladder sink lower in your body and become prolapsed.
Most common causes
Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth are the most common causes of a cystocele. Women who have only cesarean section deliveries are less likely to develop prolapse.
Other causes
Prolapse may also be caused by straining your pelvic floor muscles through:
- Being overweight or obese
- Repeated heavy lifting
- Straining with bowel movements
- A chronic cough or bronchitis
- Lentz GM. Anatomic Ddefects of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/172806660-4/0/1524/131.html?tocnode=53759383&fromURL=131.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50023-6_663. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Abed M, et al. Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse: Diagnosis and treatment for the primary care physician. The Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1273.
- Mahajan ST. Anterior vaginal wall support abnormalities: Evaluation and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Urinary incontinence in women. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Gebhart JB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 6, 2009.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 30, 2009.
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