Cystocele is the most common type of a pelvic organ prolapse. Otherwise known as a prolapsed bladder, a cystocele tends to occur when the bladder pushes into the vaginal cavity. 

Symptoms of cystocele include, but are not limited to:

• Consistent vaginal pressure
• Urinary incontinence
• An inability to properly and fully empty one’s bladder

 When it comes to cystocele repair, there are four primary types of surgical options:

• Anterior colporrhaphy
• Anterior colporrhaphy with graft
• Paravaginal repair 
• Sacral colpopexy
  • On the majority, anterior colporrhaphy and anterior colporrhaphy with graft are the most common.

Apical prolapse, otherwise known as uterine prolapse, is a condition wherein the uterus drops down into the vagina. It typically occurs as a result of a (1) hysterectomy, or (2) weakened pelvic floor muscles as a result of childbirth, ageing, or other variables affecting the strength of one’s pelvic floor.

Rectal prolapse is a condition wherein the rectum drops, or falls out of, the anus. Although rectal prolapse can lead to discomfort and slight pain, it rarely is a medical emergency.

There can be many diverse and varied causes to rectal prolapse. However, some of the most common include:

• Consistent constipation and irregular bowel movements
• Childbirth
• Ageing
• Chronic pelvic pain and injury

In adults, although rectal prolapse is not an immediate medical injury, it more often than not does not heal itself. In order to correct or fix rectal prolapse, surgery is typically the primary solution.

First, before deciding upon a treatment for rectal prolapse, visit your primary care physician to ensure that rectal prolapse has occurred. After receiving a proper diagnosis, note that there are many rectal prolapse treatments available, both invasive and non-invasive.

• Non-invasive treatments:
  • If your primary care physician has noted that your rectal prolapse is not severe and caused by dietary habits, consider increasing your fiber intake as well as your exercise.
• Invasive and Surgical treatments:
  • If your primary care physician has deemed your rectal prolapse as needing surgery, there are three primary solutions:
    • Rectopexy: This procedure involves connecting the rectum to the back of the pelvis
    • Perineal procedures: As the perineum is the area directly around the circumference of the anus, these types of procedures typically involve attaching the rectum to the large intestine, or, for mucosal-specific prolapses, removing the lining of the rectum entirely, then folding it back over the muscular layer. 
    • Anterior Resection: The above treatments involve reconnecting or attaching the rectum or surrounding areas to another body part. An anterior resection, however, differs in that it removes a segment of the rectum and colon entirely.

This is a common question, and should be considered with care. The primary difference between a rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids is that a rectal prolapse involves the anus actually falling or dropping, while haemorrhoids are simply swollen veins that protrude in the anus. As the symptoms of each are similar, please consult a primary care physician before making an assumption. 

A rectocele involves the rectum pushing into or pressing against the vagina as a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles. 

Symptoms of rectocele involve, but are not limited to:

• The physical feeling of tension (i.e. a “bulge”) against the vagina
• Consistent rectal tension, tightness, or pressure
• The feeling that something will seemingly “fall out” of the rectum/pelvis.
• Constipation and lack of bowel movement

Rectocele surgery should be considered only when non-invasive treatments and solutions fail. Specifically, before considering surgery, consider plausible solutions such as:

• Pelvic strengthening exercises
• Dietary and lifestyle changes
• Bowel training
  • If these exercises are not enough, and your rectocele issues are combined with any forms of pelvic organ prolapse, consider surgery with your primary care physician.

The most common surgical solutions for a repaired rectocele involves four primary options:

• Posterior colporrhaphy
• Posterior vaginal repair
  • Abdominal rectopexy
    • For less serious cases, meanwhile, consider a vaginal pessary.

A fistula is a connection between two organs. Typically, this connection appears to be tube-like, and is often visualized as a “bridge” between such organs that should not be there in the first place.

An anal fistula is an infectious opening that occurs between the inside of the anus and the surrounding skin. Typically an abscess forms, thereby causing inflammation and liquid to form. 

Anal fistulas are the primary result of an anal gland infection. Although anal gland infections are typically not a cause for concern of something greater, consult with your primary care physician. In more extreme or rare cases, anal fistulas can be caused by:

• Crohn’s 
• Tuberculosis
• HIV

Stress urinary incontinence, otherwise known as SUI, is a condition that involves the excess leaking of urine during physical exercise, as well as other abdominally straining-intensive actions such as sneezing or coughing. It is typically caused, meanwhile, by weakened muscles surrounding both the bladder and urethra. 

Before considering invasive options, there are many ways to improve SUI if its symptoms are not debilitating or serious. Specifically, consider pelvic floor exercises,  lifestyle changes such as increased exercise with balanced rest, and even certain FDA-approved medications.

If your stress urinary incontinence is more serious, there are many surgical solutions, including but not limited to urethral slings and artificial urinary sphincters.

First and foremost, consistent preventative check-ups and annual appointments are crucial towards detecting early-stage cervical cancer, as its early stages do not have many warming signs. In later-stage cervical cancer, however, symptoms can include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Pain and discomfort during sex
• Irregular vaginal discharge

There are many common treatments for cervical cancer. Some of them include:

• Surgeries to remove parts of the uterus, lymph nodes, or cervix.
• Radiation 
• Chemotherapy
  • If caught early enough, a hysterectomy or trachelectomy are the primary surgical options

Not directly. Genetic predispositions to HPV, as well as external environmental factors, can certainly increase the chances of cervical cancer. However, the actual cancer itself is not genetic.