The general symptoms associated with pelvic relaxation depend on which organs are affected. Often there is a feeling of heaviness or fullness. Small or moderate amounts of urine may be lost with normal physical activities such as laughing, coughing, walking, or running. In more advanced and rare cases, a mass may actually protrude from the vaginal opening. Based on the organ or organs involved, pelvic support defects can be defined more specifically as:

• Cystocele. 
• Urethrocele (most of the time the cystocele and urethrocele occur in combination – cystourethrocele).
  Rectocele. 
• Enterocele. 
• Uterine prolapse.

A cystocele occurs when the bladder falls or descends from its normal position. The most common symptom associated with cystocele is difficulty in completely emptying the bladder. This can be associated with bladder infections. Large cystoceles can cause the bladder to overfill and allow small amounts of urine to leak. Leakage is most common during activity such as walking or bouts of coughing.

• A urethrocele usually occurs in conjunction with a cystocele. Both of these conditions result in, among other things, involuntary loss of urine, particularly when there is increased pressure in the abdomen, caused by walking, jumping, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or sudden movements.
• A rectocele is the bulging of the rectum into or out of the vagina. This usually occurs as a result of injuries sustained during childbirth. With a weakened or bulging rectum, bowel movements become more difficult. .
• An enterocele is the bulging of small intestines into the back wall of the vagina
• Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus falls or is displaced from its normal position. There are varying degrees of severity depending on the descent. This produces a general felling of heaviness and fullness, or a sense that the uterus is falling out.

The diagnosis of these problems includes a through history and physical examination. Tests may be performed, depending on the circumstances, include a “Q-tip” test (to determine the mobility of the urethra), urodynamic studies (a painless fifteen to twenty minute computerized bladder and urethra functional study), urethrocystoscopy (evaluation of the inside of the bladder and urethra), X-rays of the urinary system.

For all practical purposes, definitive treatment is surgical correction of the specific defects.