ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Prolapso vaginal posterior

What is prolapso vaginal posterior?

4 May 2021

It is a vaginal condition characterized by a bulge caused by a tear or weakening of the tissue that is located between the rectum and the vagina, mainly due to trauma.

Posterior vaginal prolapse is also known as rectocele and can be serious or mild, hence the importance of seeing a specialist to assess your case and take the best medical alternatives for you since a posterior vaginal prolapse can affect other pelvic organs, such as the bladder or uterus.

Although any woman can suffer from a posterior vaginal prolapse, there are several conditions that can favor its appearance, including:

  • Lifting heavy objects continuously.
  • Bronchitis or chronic cough.
  • Labor-related tears.
  • Recurring pregnancies.
  • Constipation.
  • Aging, since muscle mass, elasticity, and functionality are lost, causing the muscles to weaken or stretch.
  • Genetics: some women are born with weaker connective tissue in the pelvic area.
  • Stress urinary incontinence.
  • Surgical vaginal deliveries or with forceps.
  • Overweight and obesity.

Signs and symptoms Prolapso vaginal posterior

If posterior vaginal prolapse is mild, you may not have symptoms, but it usually includes:

  • Lump or bump that may protrude from the opening of the vagina.
  • Low back pain.
  • Pressure in the rectum.
  • Problems evacuating.
  • Feeling like the rectum is still full after a bowel movement.
  • Feeling like the organs fall.

Diagnosis and treatment Prolapso vaginal posterior

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and perform a study of the vagina and rectum to confirm the diagnosis. If deemed necessary, they can request a defecography, x-rays, and an MRI.

The treatment to follow is established based on the symptoms and severity of the prolapse.

If you have minor or no symptoms, you may only need to implement simple self-care measures, such as doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles, preventing constipation, keeping a healthy weight, and avoiding heavy lifting.

Perhaps the specialist will recommend the use of pessaries, which are a kind of prosthesis that is inserted into the vagina to support the bulging tissues. These pessaries have different shapes and sizes and are sometimes inflatable. The risk is that they can cause vaginal ulceration if they are placed incorrectly and proper hygiene is not followed.

In extreme cases, where the symptoms are painful and other pelvic organs are compromised, it is advisable to perform surgery to remove the additional stretched tissue that forms the vaginal protuberance. If the uterus is also prolapsed, a hysterectomy may be necessary.

Comprehensive women’s health is our priority at the Women’s Center, so we offer services focused on women in all their chronological stages with the highest standards of care to improve their quality of life, through a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services.

Related centers and departments Prolapso vaginal posterior

Women’s Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • yourpelvicfloor.org
  • aapec.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • elsevier.es
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Abreu PY, Martínez TJC, Rodríguez AEM, et al. Respuesta a la reeducación de los músculos pelvianos en pacientes con prolapso vaginal en edad climatérica. Rev Cub de Med Fis y Rehab. 2016;8(Suppl: 1):76-87.

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