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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffEnterocele and prolapse of other pelvic organs often results from a combination of factors, including:
- Pregnancy and childbirth. The physical stresses of pregnancy put strain on your pelvic support structures and can weaken them. Difficult vaginal births — especially if you have a prolonged second stage of labor, a very large baby or a forceps-assisted delivery — can damage pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues and lead to development of an enterocele.
- Age. As you get older, your pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues are more likely to become stretched and weakened.
- Pelvic surgery. In some instances, surgical removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) and some types of surgery to treat urinary incontinence may lead to development of an enterocele.
- Increased abdominal pressure. Chronic coughing, frequent heavy lifting, or any other activity that increases pressure on your abdomen may also strain your pelvic floor muscles and contribute to the development of enterocele.
- Connective tissue disorders. Some women are genetically predisposed to having weaker connective tissues and may be more likely to experience enterocele and prolapse of other pelvic organs.
References
- Lentz GM. Anatomic defects of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor: Abdominal and inguinal hernias, cystocele, urethrocele, enterocele, rectocele, uterine and vaginal prolapse, and rectal incontinence: Diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199482088-2/0/1524/131.html?tocnode=53759383&fromURL=131.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50023-6_663. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins - Gynecology. Pelvic organ prolapse. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007;110:717.
- Park AJ, et al. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and nonsurgical management of posterior vaginal defects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Hughes D, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3159899. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- Tarnay CM. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2390520. Accessed May 4, 2010.
- DeLancey JOL. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and evaluation of pelvic organ support. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:818.
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