What is the Difference Between Cystocele and Rectocele

The key difference between cystocele and rectocele is that cystocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the bladder wall bulges into the vagina, while rectocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the rectum wall bulges into the vagina.

Anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse occurs due to the protrusion of an organ into the vaginal canal. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse is commonly known as cystocele (when the bladder is involved) or urethrocele (when the urethra is involved). Posterior vaginal wall prolapse is commonly known as enterocele (when small intestine and peritoneum are involved) or rectocele (when the rectum is involved). Therefore, cystocele and rectocele are two types of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. In fact, they are vaginal hernias. These conditions can be treated by a corrective surgery that lifts and tightens the tissue around the bladder and rectum. Moreover, a high-fibre diet, taking laxatives to improve constipation, weight reduction in obese patients, and limitation of straining and lifting are some of the supportive measures for vaginal hernias. Furthermore, muscle strengthening exercises are also helpful in treating these medical conditions.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cystocele  
3. What is Rectocele
4. Similarities – Cystocele and Rectocele
5. Cystocele vs Rectocele in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cystocele vs Rectocele

What is Cystocele?

Cystocele is a medical condition that arises when the wall between the bladder and vagina weakens. Due to this, the bladder sags into the vagina. It is typically divided into three grades: grade I, grade II, grade III. Grade I is a mild case. In grade I, the bladder only droops a short way into the vagina. Grade II is a more severe case. In grade II, the bladder has sunk into the vagina far enough to reach the vaginal opening. In the most advanced grade III, the bladder bulges out through the vaginal opening.

Cystocele can occur due to different reasons such as advancing age, overweight, childbirth, heavy lifting, straining muscles during childbirth, constipation and previous pelvic surgery, etc. The common symptoms of cystocele are feeling pelvic heaviness, a bulge in the vagina that can be felt, lower back pain, aching in the lower belly, frequent urinary tract infections, need to urinate often, pain during sex, problems putting tampons, etc. The diagnosis of this medical condition can be made through reviewing medical history, pelvic exam, cystourethrogram, and MRI. Furthermore, the treatments of this condition depend on the grade of the cystocele; these include activity changes, kegel exercises, pessary, surgery, and hormone replacement therapy.

What is Rectocele?

Rectocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the rectum wall bulges into the vagina. This is caused due to prolonged pressure on the pelvic floor. The risk factors may include pregnancy and childbirth, ageing, chronic constipation, obesity, and chronic cough. Some women with this condition have no symptoms. However, many women with rectocele experience vaginal pressure or the feeling that something is falling out of the vagina.

The common symptoms may include rectal pressure or fullness, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, difficulty having a bowel movement and a soft bulge of tissue that protrudes outside the body.  The diagnosis of this situation can be made through reviewing medical history, physical examination, MRI, and ultrasound. Rectocele can be treated through pelvic floor exercises, bowel training, vaginal pessary, and minimally invasive surgical procedures such as rectocele repair.

What are the Similarities Between Cystocele and Rectocele?

• Cystocele and rectocele are two types of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse.
• Both conditions are due to the protrusion of an organ into the vaginal canal.
• These conditions only affect women.
• They are treatable medical conditions.

What is the Difference Between Cystocele and Rectocele?

Cystocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the bladder wall bulges into the vagina while rectocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the rectum wall bulges into the vagina. So, this is the key difference between cystocele and rectocele. Furthermore, cystocele is known as the fallen bladder, while rectocele is known as the fallen rectum.

The following infographic lists the differences between cystocele and rectocele in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Cystocele vs Rectocele

Cystocele and rectocele are two types of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. Cystocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the bladder wall bulges into the vagina, while rectocele is a medical condition that arises when a part of the rectum wall bulges into the vagina. Thus, this is the key difference between cystocele and rectocele.

Reference:

1. Chevallet, Mireille, et al. “Silver Staining of Proteins in Polyacrylamide Gels.” Nature Protocols, Nature Pub. Group, 2006.
2. “Rectocele (Posterior Vaginal Prolapse).” Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cystocele” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Rectocele Diagram” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia