Surgery is sometimes recommended to relieve the symptoms caused by pelvic support problems. The symptoms depend on which organs are involved. Symptoms include:
- Feeling of pelvic heaviness or fullness, or as though something is falling out of the vagina
- pulling or aching feeling in the lower abdomen or pelvis
- Leakage of urine or problems having a bowel movement
A cystocele, sometimes called anterior wall prolapse, occurs when the bladder drops from its normal place into the vagina. Some cystoceles cause urine to leak when you cough, sneeze, lift objects or walk.
When the rectum bulges into or out of the vagina, it is called a rectocele (or posterior wall prolapse). A large rectocele may make it difficult to have a bowel movement.
Sometimes after hysterectomy, the top of the vagina loses its support and drops. This is called vaginal vault prolapse. Women with this condition may have problems with bladder and bowel function.
When the uterus drops down into the vagina, it is call uterine prolapse. This sometimes causes discomfort or problems with sex.