What is female urethrocele?

When the urethra sags or presses into the vagina, it is called urethrocele or urethral prolapse. This problem happens when the pelvic muscles and tissues get weak or damaged. This may occur after a woman has children or when she gets older. Or it may happen after surgery.

What are symptoms of a urethrocele?

What are the symptoms?

  • vaginal or vulvar irritation.
  • a feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvic and vaginal area.
  • aching discomfort in the pelvic area.
  • urinary problems, such as stress incontinence, being unable to empty the bladder, and frequent urination.
  • painful sex.

How do you treat urethrocele?

To do Kegel exercises, simply contract and release the pelvic muscles repeatedly. These are the same muscles that control the flow of urine. Surgery – In some severe cases, urethrocele may be treated with surgery, in which the supporting structure surrounding the urethra is repaired.

What causes urethrocele?

Urethroceles are often caused by childbirth, the movement of the baby through the vagina causing damage to the surrounding tissues. 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.

How common is a urethrocele?

Ureteroceles occur in about 1 in 500 people. This condition is equally common in both the left and right ureters.

How can you tell the difference between urethrocele and cystocele?

Two common forms of pelvic organ prolapse are bladder prolapse (cystocele) and urethral prolapse (urethrocele). A cystocele occurs when the wall of the bladder presses against and moves the wall of the vagina. A urethrocele occurs when the tissues surrounding the urethra sag downward into the vagina.

What does a ureterocele look like?

It is simply a swelling limited to the end of the ureter as it enters the bladder. The swelling resembles a balloon on ultrasound or during a camera examination of the bladder. Ureteroceles in duplex anomalies can be associated with urine refluxing backward to the kidney through the second adjacent ureter.

What does a female urethral prolapse look like?

Upon physical examination, urethral prolapse appears as a doughnut-shaped mass protruding from the anterior vaginal wall . In children, a pinkish orange congested mass may be observed at the center of the urethral meatus. The mass may be painful and tender to palpation.

Does ureterocele need treatment?

Treatment for a ureterocele depends on when it is identified. If a ureterocele is identified in the prenatal period, treatment may include antibiotics. A minor procedure called a ureterocele puncture may also be done to correct the condition soon after birth, or while your child is still an infant.

Can a ureterocele go away on its own?

In most cases, if there is reflux up the ureter into the lower part of the kidney, the reflux should be treated. It is unlikely to disappear with time. If this is the case, removal of the ureterocele and ureteral re-implantation (recreation of the flap valve) is recommended.

Are ureteroceles painful?

Most people with ureteroceles do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include: Abdominal pain. Back pain that may be only on one side.

Can a urethral prolapse fix itself?

Many cases of urethral prolapse are mild and go away with minimal or no treatment. More severe cases, such as those involving strangulated urethral prolapse, may require surgery.