A urethrocele is the
prolapse
In medicine, prolapse is a condition in which organs fall down or slip out of place. It is used for organs protruding through the vagina, rectum, or for the misalignment of the valves of the heart. A spinal disc herniation is also sometimes call ...
of the female
urethra
The urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ''ourḗthrā'') is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body of both females and males. In human females and other primates, the urethra con ...
into the
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
. Weakening of the tissues that hold the urethra in place may cause it to protrude into the vagina.
Urethroceles often occur with
cystocele
A cystocele, also known as a prolapsed bladder, is a medical condition in which a woman's bladder bulges into her vagina. Some may have no symptoms. Others may have trouble starting urination, urinary incontinence, or frequent urination. Complicat ...
s (involving the
urinary bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters ...
as well as the urethra).
In this case, the term used is cystourethrocele.
Signs and symptoms
There are often no symptoms associated with a urethrocele.
When present, symptoms include
stress incontinence
Stress incontinence, also known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or effort incontinence is a form of urinary incontinence. It is due to inadequate closure of the bladder outlet by the urethral sphincter.
Pathophysiology
It is the loss of sma ...
, increased
urinary frequency
Frequent urination, or urinary frequency (sometimes called pollakiuria), is the need to urinate more often than usual. Diuretics are medications that increase urinary frequency. Nocturia is the need of frequent urination at night. The most common c ...
, and
urinary retention
Urinary retention is an inability to completely empty the bladder. Onset can be sudden or gradual. When of sudden onset, symptoms include an inability to urinate and lower abdominal pain. When of gradual onset, symptoms may include loss of bladd ...
(difficulty in emptying the
bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters ...
).
Pain during
sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse (or coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion and thrusting of the penis into the vagina for sexual pleasure or reproduction.Sexual intercourse most commonly means penile–vaginal penetrat ...
may also occur.
Complications
Where a urethrocele causes difficulty in urinating, this can lead to
cystitis
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. When it affects the lower urinary tract it is known as a bladder infection (cystitis) and when it affects the upper urinary tract it is known as a kidney ...
.
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.
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
A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can ...
weakness in the tissues of the
pelvic floor
The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus muscle, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis. The pelvic diaphragm is a muscular partition formed by the lev ...
.
[
]
Diagnosis
Treatment
A urethrocele can be treated surgically.
See also
*
Rectocele
In gynecology, a rectocele ( ) or posterior vaginal wall prolapse results when the rectum bulges ( herniates) into the vagina. Two common causes of this defect are childbirth and hysterectomy. Rectocele also tends to occur with other forms of pel ...
*
Urethropexy
A urethropexy is a surgical procedure where support is provided to the urethra.
One form is the " Burch urethropexy".
It is sometimes performed in the treatment of incontinence (particularly stress incontinence
Stress incontinence, also known a ...
*
Urethral bulking injections
A urethral bulking injection is a gynecological procedure and medical treatment used to treat involuntary leakage of urine: urinary incontinence in women. Injectional materials are used to control stress incontinence. Bulking agents are injected in ...
References
External links
{{Diseases of the pelvis, genitals and breasts, state=collapsed
Noninflammatory disorders of female genital tract
Women's health