Urethrocele
A urethrocele is the prolapse of the female urethra into the vagina. Weakening of the tissues that hold the urethra in place may cause it to protrude into the vagina.[3][4] Urethroceles often occur with cystoceles (involving the urinary bladder as well as the urethra).[5] In this case, the term used is cystourethrocele.[6][7]
Urethrocele | |
---|---|
Other names | Cystourethrocele |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Gynecology |
Signs and symptoms
There are often no symptoms associated with a urethrocele.[3] When present, symptoms include stress incontinence, increased urinary frequency, and urinary retention (difficulty in emptying the bladder).[3][6] Pain during sexual intercourse may also occur.[5]
Cause
Urethroceles can often result as a result of damage to the supporting structures of the pelvic floor. Urethroceles can form after treatment for gynecological cancers.[8] Urethroceles are often caused by childbirth, the movement of the baby through the vagina causing damage to the surrounding tissues.[5] When they occur in women who have never had children, they may be the result of a congenital weakness in the tissues of the pelvic floor.[9]
Treatment
A urethrocele can be treated surgically.[4]
References
- "Urethrocele". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
- "Urethrocele". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
- Curtis, Jeannette (2007-05-27). "Urethrocele (urethral prolapse)". WebMD. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
- Ostrzenski, Adam (2001). Gynecology: Integrating Conventional, Complementary, and Natural Alternative Therapy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-7817-2761-7.
- Rhodes, Monica (2006-10-26). "Repair of bladder prolapse (cystocele) or urethra prolapse (urethrocele)". WebMD. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
- Drife, James O.; Brian A. Magowan (2004). Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-7020-1775-9.
- "Cystoceles, Urethroceles, Enteroceles, and Rectoceles - Gynecology and Obstetrics - Merck Manuals Professional Edition". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
- Ramaseshan, Aparna S.; Felton, Jessica; Roque, Dana; Rao, Gautam; Shipper, Andrea G.; Sanses, Tatiana V. D. (2017-09-19). "Pelvic floor disorders in women with gynecologic malignancies: a systematic review". International Urogynecology Journal. 29 (4): 459–476. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3467-4. ISSN 0937-3462. PMID 28929201.
- DeCherney, Alan H.; Lauren Nathan; Martin L. Pernoll (2003). Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment. McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 777. ISBN 978-0-8385-1401-6.