Cystocele Health Dictionary

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Cystocele: From 2 Different Sources

A swelling in the vagina that is formed where the bladder pushes against weakened tissues in the vaginal wall.

Cystocele may be associated with a prolapsed uterus (see uterus, prolapse of).

If the urethra is pulled out of position by a cystocele, it may cause stress incontinence or incomplete emptying of the bladder, leading to infection of the retained urine (see cystitis).

Pelvic floor exercises may relieve symptoms.

Surgery may be used to lift and tighten the tissues at the front of the vagina.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
n. prolapse of the base of the bladder in women. It is usually due to weakness of the pelvic floor after childbirth and causes bulging of the anterior wall of the vagina on straining. When accompanied by stress incontinence of urine, surgical repair (anterior *colporrhaphy) is indicated.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Urocele

A cystic swelling that develops in the SCROTUM when URINE escapes from the URETHRA, usually after injury. Prompt treatment is necessary and this is done by diverting the urine by inserting a suprapubic catheter (see CATHETERS) into the URINARY BLADDER, draining the cystocele and giving the patients antibiotics. The injured urethra can be surgically repaired later.... urocele

Rectocele

Bulging inwards and downwards of the back wall of the vagina as the rectum pushes against weakened tissues in the vaginal wall.

A rectocele is usually associated with a cystocele or a prolapsed uterus (see uterus, prolapse of).

There may be no symptoms, or the rectocele may cause constipation.

Pelvic floor exercises may help.

If not, an operation to tighten the tissues at the back of the vagina may be recommended.... rectocele

Uterus, Prolapse Of

A condition in which the uterus descends from its normal position into the vagina. The degree of prolapse varies from 1st-degree prolapse, in which there is only slight displacement of the uterus, to 3rd-degree prolapse (procidentia), in which the uterus can be seen outside the vulva.

Stretching of the ligaments supporting the uterus (during childbirth, for example) is the most common cause. Prolapse is aggravated by obesity.

There are often no symptoms, but sometimes there is a dragging feeling in the pelvis. Diagnosis is made by physical examination.

Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles of the vagina and thus reduce the risk of a prolapse, especially following childbirth. Treatment usually involves surgery (hysterectomy). Rarely, if surgery is not wanted or is not recommended, a plastic ring-shaped pessary may be inserted into the vagina to hold the uterus in position. (See also cystocele; rectocele; urethrocele.)... uterus, prolapse of

Colporrhaphy

n. an operation designed to remove lax and redundant vaginal tissue and so reduce the diameter of the vagina in cases of prolapse of the base of the bladder (anterior colporrhaphy; see cystocele) or of the rectum (posterior colporrhaphy; see rectocele).... colporrhaphy

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