Pelvic Prolapse Symptoms and Treatment CYstOCELE RECTOCELE ENTEROCELE COMBINED To make an appointment or ask a question, call the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at 617-636-6190. 800 Washington Street For urgent problems, call the Tufts Medical Center Boston, MA 02111 operator at 617-636-5000 and ask for the 617-636-5000 on-call physician for Colon and Rectal Surgery. www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org 09-062 2011 Pelvic prolapse includes several condi- DIAGNOSES REPAIRS tions that occur when pelvic organs bulge Pelvic prolapse may include any of the following specific Surgery may include: down into or out of the vagina or rectum. conditions: ▶ Rectocele repair — rectal approach Most pelvic prolapse occurs in women. ▶ Rectocele: bulging of the rectum into the vagina ▶ Rectocele repair — vaginal approach ▶ Cystocele: bulging of the bladder into the vagina ▶ Rectocele repair — abdominal approach Factors that may increase the risk of pelvic prolapse ▶ Enterocele: bulging of loops of small intestine into ▶ Cystocele repair include: the vagina ▶ TVT — transvaginal tape repair ▶ advancing age ▶ Sigmoidocele: bulging of the sigmoid colon into ▶ Rectal prolapse repair — abdominal ▶ multiple or difficult deliveries the vagina ▶ Rectal prolapse repair — perineal ▶ injury to the pelvic organs or muscles ▶ Urinary incontinence: unable to control urine ▶ Perineoplasty ▶ smoking ▶ Fecal incontinence: unable to control stool or gas ▶ Other ▶ use of steroid medications ▶ Constipation ▶ chronic lung disease ▶ Uterine prolapse Although many women develop some degree of pelvic ▶ Rectal prolapse prolapse as they age, many do not need treatment. ▶ Vaginal prolapse Medical treatment may include pelvic floor exercises, vaginal creams (usually containing estrogen) or use of a pessary (vaginal support ring). Surgery is reserved for significant symptoms and worsening of the prolapse. Small Intestine NORMAL FEMALE PELVIS Uterus Side View Sacrum Bladder Rectum Coccyx Pubis Anal sphincter muscles Vagina For more information call the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Tufts Medical Center: 617-636-6190 or visit www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/ColonRectalSurgery.