Enterocele
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What is an enterocele?
An enterocele happens when part of your small intestine slips down and bulges into your vagina. Weak or stretched muscles in the pelvis allow the intestine to prolapse (slip out of place). An enterocele may also be called a vaginal hernia or a small bowel prolapse.
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What are the signs and symptoms of an enterocele?
- Low back pain or a pulling feeling in your pelvis that gets better when you lie down
- Fullness, pressure, or pain in your pelvis
- A bulge in your vagina
- Trouble having a bowel movement, chronic constipation, or leaking bowel movement
- Discharge and bleeding from your vagina that is not your monthly period
- Pain or discomfort during sex
What increases my risk for an enterocele?
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Lower estrogen levels from older age or menopause
- Anything that strains your pelvic muscles, such as obesity, chronic constipation, severe coughing, or lifting heavy objects
- Pressure in the pelvic area from a prolapsed bladder, rectum, or uterus
- A hysterectomy or other pelvic surgery
- A collagen disease, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
How is an enterocele diagnosed?
- A pelvic exam is used to help find an enterocele. Your healthcare provider may ask you to tighten the muscles of your pelvis as if you are trying to stop urinating. This helps find how strong your pelvic muscles are.
- Defecography shows changes taking place in your rectum and muscles during a bowel movement. A thick paste of barium is placed into your rectum through your anus. X-rays are taken while you push out the barium as if you are having a bowel movement. The barium makes an x-ray outline of your rectum and anus.
How is an enterocele treated?
- Observation may be recommended if the enterocele is not severe. Observation means the enterocele will be checked over time. Treatment may change if the enterocele gets worse or interferes with your quality of life.
- Estrogen may help strengthen the pelvic muscles and keep the enterocele from getting worse. This may be taken as a pill, applied as a cream, or inserted into your vagina.
- A pessary can be placed inside the vagina to support the bulging tissues in your vagina. A pessary is a plastic or rubber ring.
- Surgery may be needed to fix the prolapse. You may have surgery to repair stretched or torn vaginal tissues. Your healthcare provider may use a mesh patch or a tissue graft to support or hold the repair.
What can I do to manage or prevent an enterocele?
- Sit with your legs elevated. This can help relieve pain or discomfort. Put pillows or blankets under your ankles to elevate your entire legs. Do not stand for long periods of time.
- Prevent pressure in your abdomen. Do not strain when you have a bowel movement. Do not lift heavy objects. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment for a chronic cough. Vaping or smoking can cause or worsen a chronic cough. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke or vape and need help to quit.
- Do Kegel exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles that hold your uterus in place. They also tighten the muscles you use when you urinate or have a bowel movement. Tighten muscles in your pelvis (muscles you use to stop urinating). Hold the muscles tight for 5 seconds, then relax for 5 seconds. Gradually work up to holding the muscles contracted for 10 seconds. Do at least 3 sets of 10 repetitions a day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your healthcare provider for a healthy weight for you. Ask him or her to help you create a weight loss plan if you are overweight. He or she can also help you create an exercise program. Exercise helps your bowels work better and decreases pressure inside your colon.
- Eat more fiber. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, soften bowel movements. This helps bowel movements pass more quickly through your colon. Your healthcare provider may also recommend medicines to make it easier to have a bowel movement, or to make them more regular.
- Drink liquids as directed. Ask your healthcare provider how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Liquids will help decrease constipation so you will not strain to have a bowel movement.
When should I seek immediate care?
- You have a mass bulging out of your vagina that you cannot push back into place.
- You vomit several times in a row.
- Your bowel movement is bright red or black.
When should I call my doctor?
- Your pessary falls out.
- You have heavier vaginal bleeding than usual.
- You are not able to have a bowel movement.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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