What is Enterocele? How Is It Treated?

0 27 October 2021
What is Enterocele? How Is It Treated?

The prolapse of the small intestine i.e. descending of the small intestine into the lower pelvic cavity causing a vaginal bulge is called an Enterocele. On average 4% of women suffer this pelvic organ prolapse at some point in time, this risk increases in post-menopausal women. What causes Enterocele in women? The pelvic floor acts as a sac to support the pelvic organs – bowels, uterus and vagina with the help of the ligaments and muscles. When these ligaments and muscles weaken, the chances of organ prolapse increases significantly and over time the organs slip into the pelvic area. Enterocele is the condition where the small intestine due to lack of support begins to descend, presses against the upper vagina causing a vaginal bulge. Who are at risk of Enterocele? As the strength of pelvic muscles is strongly linked with estrogen levels in women, the risk of organ prolapse increases in women as their estrogen levels decline. So post–menopausal women above age 60 suffer a greater risk of Enterocele. But that is not all – the risk of Enterocele is high among women with certain medical conditions like bronchitis, asthma, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or even for women who have undergone radiation therapy. In rare cases lifting heavy items, obesity, constipation or hysterectomy may also lead to this co