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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffIn mild cases of cystocele, you may not notice any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms occur, they may include:
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis and vagina — especially when standing for long periods of time
- Increased discomfort when you strain, cough, bear down or lift
- A bulge of tissue that, in severe cases, protrudes through your vaginal opening and may feel like sitting on an egg — often going away when you lie down
- A feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder after urinating
- Repeated bladder infections
- Pain or urinary leakage during sexual intercourse
Doctors may refer to a cystocele as an anterior prolapse, as the front (anterior) vaginal wall stretches and the bladder bulges down into the vagina.
When to see a doctor
A severely prolapsed bladder can be uncomfortable — in some instances, even painful. It can make emptying your bladder difficult and may lead to bladder infections. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience bothersome signs and symptoms of cystocele, such as those listed above.
References
- McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. 51st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9026. Accessed Feb. 14, 2012.
- Abed M, et al. Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse: Diagnosis and treatment for the primary care physician. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1273.
- Mahajan ST. Anterior vaginal wall support abnormalities: Evaluation and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Urinary incontinence in women. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Hagen S, et al. Conservative prevention and management of pelvic organ prolapse in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/index.html. Accessed Feb. 14, 2012.
- Leu PB, et al. Cystocele repair with interpositional grafting. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2011;38:47.
- Bladder prolapse (cystocele). American Urological Association Foundation. http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=118. Accessed Feb. 28, 2012.
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