Bulge or heaviness in the vagina

Overview

Prolapse can cause pressure, a bulge, and bladder or bowel problems.

Pelvic floor exercises can help.

When to get medical care

Causes

Causes include childbirth, menopause, and aging.

OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause bulge or heaviness in the vagina. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

• Cystocele or rectocele (bladder or rectum bulging into the vagina)See a doctor if it doesn't get better

  A weakened wall between the vagina and the bladder (cystocele) or rectum (rectocele) lets it bulge into the vagina.

• Pelvic organ prolapseSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

  The bladder, uterus, or rectum drops and presses into the vagina, causing a bulge, heaviness, or pressure, especially after standing.

What you can do at home

• Do pelvic floor exercises.
• Avoid heavy lifting.

Medicines

Pessary or surgery may help.

At the doctor

Diagnosed by exam.

Questions you may be asked

• Symptoms

The exam

A pelvic exam.

Tests

• Usually none

Prevention

Strengthen pelvic floor.

• Kegel exercises

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Related symptoms

• Abnormal Pap test or positive HPV test
• Beefy-red, painless sore on the genitals that slowly grows and bleeds easily
• Bleeding after sex or between periods
• Bulge in the vaginal wall, or needing to press to empty the bladder or bowels
• Burning or pain at the vulva or vaginal opening
• Curve or lump in the penis
• Discharge (genital)
• Discharge from penis
• Finishing too quickly during sex
• Fishy odor
• Genital bumps or warts
• Genital itching
• Genital sores or blisters
• High PSA, or told the prostate feels hard or lumpy
• Itchy red rash in the groin or inner thighs