Diseases and Conditions

Anterior prolapse (cystocele)

Symptoms

In mild cases of anterior prolapse, you may not notice any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms occur, they may include:

  • A feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis and vagina
  • In some cases, a bulge of tissue in your vagina that you can see or feel
  • Increased pelvic pressure when you strain, cough, bear down or lift
  • Problems urinating, including difficulty starting a urine stream, the feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder after urinating, feeling a frequent need to urinate or leaking urine (urinary incontinence)

Signs and symptoms often are especially noticeable after standing for long periods of time and may go away when you lie down.

When to see a doctor

A prolapsed bladder can be uncomfortable, but it is rarely painful. It can make emptying your bladder difficult, which may lead to bladder infections. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that bother you or impact your daily activities.