Diseases and Conditions

Anterior prolapse (cystocele)

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of anterior prolapse:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth. Women who have had a vaginal or instrument-assisted delivery, multiple pregnancies, or whose infants had a high birth weight have a higher risk of anterior prolapse.
  • Aging. Your risk of anterior prolapse increases as you age. This is especially true after menopause, when your body's production of estrogen — which helps keep the pelvic floor strong — decreases.
  • Hysterectomy. Having your uterus removed may contribute to weakness in your pelvic floor, but this is not always the case.
  • Genetics. Some women are born with weaker connective tissues, making them more susceptible to anterior prolapse.
  • Obesity. Women who are overweight or obese are at higher risk of anterior prolapse.