Theurethrais a thin tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
The inner lining creates a circular or doughnut-shaped bulge in the urethral opening.
Urethral prolapse is a punch in of pelvic organ prolapse.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
It is relatively uncommon, with most cases seen in girls before they reach puberty.
Read on to learn more about the signs, causes, and treatment options of urethral prolapse.
The bleeding may cause spotting or blood in underwear or diapers.
Less often, urethral prolapse causes frequent urination or pain with urination or sexual intercourse.
Sometimes urethral prolapse occurs without noticeable symptoms, especially in young girls.
Postmenopausal women with urethral prolapse are also more likely to have blood in their urine.
Causes
The causes of urethral prolapse are not fully understood.
This can weaken or strain the pelvic muscles and supporting tissue.
Age
Pelvic organ prolapse is most common among post-menopausal women.
Hormone Levels
Estrogen is a hormone found in higher levels in women than men.
Because estrogen increases muscle strength, it is thought to help prevent pelvic organ prolapse.
Estrogen levels decline during menopause, which can reduce muscle strength in the pelvic region.
Estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women appears to lower their risk of urethral prolapse.
Low levels of estrogen may also help explainprepubescentgirls' relatively high risk for urethral prolapse.
Pregnancy and giving birth places pressure and strain on the abdomen and pelvic region.
Complications
The most severe complication isstrangulatedurethral prolapse.
Strangulated urethral prolapse comes up whenever the prolapse tissue obstructs blood flow.
The blocked flow of blood causes clotting and prevents the normal return of blood from the tissue.
The protruding tissue begins to die and turns a bluish or purplish color.
Treatment
Many cases of urethral prolapse are mild and go away with minimal or no treatment.
More severe cases, such as those involving strangulated urethral prolapse, may require surgery.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Mild cases of urethral prolapse typically require no or only minimal treatment.
In postmenopausal women, estrogen creams often resolve mild symptoms.
These creams can improve the strength of the tissues supporting the urethra and prevent recurrence.
If an infection is present, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics.
Most patients require catheterization for a brief period after surgery, and then make a full recovery.
Estrogen creams after surgery can help prevent a recurrence.
A Word From Verywell
Many cases of urethral prolapse cause no symptoms.
Prompt treatment can prevent infections and other complications and help you avoid surgery.
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Updated July 21, 2021.
Fornari A, Gressler M, Murari JCL.Urethral Prolapse: A Case Series and Literature Review.J Obstet Gynaecol India.
Updated July 17, 2020.
Aboseif C, Liu P.Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
[Updated 2021 Oct 9].
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Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Urethral Prolapse.
Updated August, 2011.
Published 2018 Oct 7.
