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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
An enterocele (EN-tur-o-seel) is a vaginal hernia, which occurs when your small intestine (small bowel) descends into the lower pelvic cavity and pushes at the top part of your vagina, creating a bulge. Enteroceles most commonly occur in women who have had surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy).
Childbirth and aging may weaken the muscles and ligaments (pelvic floor) that support your bladder, uterus, colon and small intestine. The weakening may cause one or more of these organs to drop (prolapse). Enterocele is one condition that can result from weakening pelvic floor structures.
For a mild or moderate enterocele, nonsurgical treatments — particularly, exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles — may help relieve symptoms, if symptoms are present. More severe cases of enterocele may require surgery to fix the condition.
- 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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