The goal is to acquaint you with the various forms of pelvic relaxation as well as their causes, symptoms, and treatment. The pelvic organs include the vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum. These organs are held in position by three types of supports: 1) muscles, 2) sheets of tissue called fascia 3) and ligaments. When these supports become damaged for various reasons, one or more of the pelvic organs may sag and, occasionally, even protrude outside the vagina. These are called pelvic support defects.

During childbirth, as the baby passes through the birth canal, the muscles, fascia, and ligaments separate and may be weakened. This weakening gradually worsens and, in later years, may cause the pelvic organs to drop from their normal positions.

Occasionally, this weakening of the muscles and tissue may occur in women who have never had children. 

The general symptoms associated with pelvic relaxation depend on which organs are affected. Often there is a feeling of heaviness or fullness. Some women have “air” exit the vagina with exercise or intercourse making a sound that results in embarrassment. Small or moderate amounts of urine may be lost with normal physical activities such as laughing, coughing, walking, or running. In more advanced and rare cases a mass may actually protrude from the vaginal opening. Based on the organ or organs involved, pelvic support defects can be defined more specifically as:

A cystocele occurs when the bladder falls or descends from its normal position. The most common symptom associated with cystocele is difficulty in completely emptying the bladder. This can be associated with bladder infections. Large cystoceles can cause the bladder to overfill and allow small amounts of urine to leak. Leakage is most common during activity such as walking or bouts of coughing.

A urethrocele usually occurs in conjunction with a cystocele. Both of these conditions result in, among other things, involuntary loss of urine, particularly when there is increased pressure in the abdomen, caused by walking, jumping, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or sudden movements.

With a weakened or bulging rectum, bowel movements become more difficult. Sometimes bowel movements are difficult to control, resulting in incontinence of stool or flatus (gas).

An enterocele is the bulging of small intestines into the back wall of the vagina.

Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus falls or is displaced from its normal position. There are varying degrees of severity depending on the descent. This produces a general feeling of heaviness and fullness, or a sense that the uterus is falling out. Frequently, women complain of low back pain associated with these prolapse issues.

The diagnosis of these problems includes a through history and physical examination. Other test depending on the circumstances include a “Q-tip” test, urodynamic studies (painless fifteen to twenty minute computerized bladder and urethra functional studies), urethrocystoscopy (a scope that is used to evaluate the inside of the bladder and urethra), X-rays of the urinary system.

For all practical purposes, definitive treatment is surgical correction of the specific defects. These issues are not cosmetic and the surgery to repair them is well covered by most insurances.