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Medical Author:

George Lazarou, MD, FACOG

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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The symptoms associated with a vaginal prolapse depend on the type of vaginal prolapse present. The most common symptom of all types of vaginal prolapse is the sensation that tissues or structures in the vagina are out of place. Some women describe the feeling as "something coming down" or as a dragging sensation. This may involve a protrusion or pressure in the area of the sensation. Generally, the more advanced the prolapse, the more severe the symptoms.

The following are general symptoms of all types of vaginal prolapse:

• Pressure in the vagina or pelvis
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• A lump at the opening of the vagina
• A decrease in pain or pressure when the woman lies down
• Recurrent urinary tract infections

• Difficulty emptying bowel: This may be indicative of an enterocele, vaginal vault prolapse, or prolapsed uterus. A woman with difficulty emptying her bowel may find that she needs to place her fingers on the back wall of the vagina to help evacuate her bowel completely. This is referred to as splinting.
• Difficulty emptying bladder: This may be indicative of a cystocele, urethrocele, enterocele, vaginal vault prolapse, or prolapsed uterus.
• Constipation: This is the most common symptom of a rectocele.
• Urinary stress incontinence: This is a common symptom of a cystocele.
• Pain that increases during long periods of standing: This may be indicative of an enterocele, vaginal vault prolapse, or prolapsed uterus.
• Protrusion of tissue at the back wall of the vagina: This is a common symptom of a rectocele.
• Protrusion of tissue at the front wall of the vagina: This is a common symptom of a cystocele or urethrocele.
• Enlarged, wide, and gaping vaginal opening: This is a common symptom of a vaginal vault prolapse.

Some women who develop a vaginal prolapse do not experience symptoms.