Sigmoidocele – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 4 min read
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Sigmoidocele is an uncommon accompaniment of pelvic prolapse. It is difficult to detect a sigmoidocele during clinical pelvic examination, and as a consequence, a sigmoidocele may be unexpectedly encountered during vaginal repair of pelvic prolapse. The author has discovered and repaired a sigmoidocele during vaginal...

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

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Article Summary

Sigmoidocele is an uncommon accompaniment of pelvic prolapse. It is difficult to detect a sigmoidocele during clinical pelvic examination, and as a consequence, a sigmoidocele may be unexpectedly encountered during vaginal repair of pelvic prolapse. The author has discovered and repaired a sigmoidocele during vaginal surgery in 4 patients with either complete procidentia or vaginal vault eversion. The procedure involves a modification of the bilateral...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Symptoms of Sigmoidocele in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Diagnosis of Sigmoidocele in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

Sigmoidocele is an uncommon accompaniment of pelvic prolapse. It is difficult to detect a sigmoidocele during clinical pelvic examination, and as a consequence, a sigmoidocele may be unexpectedly encountered during vaginal repair of pelvic prolapse. The author has discovered and repaired a sigmoidocele during vaginal surgery in 4 patients with either complete procidentia or vaginal vault eversion. The procedure involves a modification of the bilateral sacrospinous vaginal vault fixation using two additional sutures to suspend the sigmoid colon from the sacrospinous ligament. Clinical and functional results have been excellent. This is the first description of a vaginal approach to the repair of a sigmoidocele.

Sigmoidocele (also known as Pouch of Douglas descent) refers to a condition where the sigmoid colon descends (prolapses) into the lower pelvic cavity. [rx] This can obstruct the rectum and cause symptoms of obstructed defecation.[rx]

Symptoms of Sigmoidocele

Many women may notice a bulge in their vagina. They may also notice dragging or a feeling of pressure particularly towards the end of the day or if they have been on their feet for a few hours.

As the bulge gets bigger sometimes it can be more difficult to completely empty their bowels. This is because the bulge presses on the front of the rectum. Sometimes the bulging gives the sensation that there is still more bowel movement to pass even though the lower bowel is empty.

Diagnosis of Sigmoidocele

It is important to make sure that it is the enterocele or sigmoidocele that is causing the bowel problem. Most women will require some form of endoscopic examination of the bowel either by flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to ensure that it is otherwise healthy.

The most useful test for the enterocele or sigmoidocele itself is a videoproctogram. or MRI program. These tests should confirm that there is a bulge and that it is causing an obstruction to defaecation. It is also useful to ensure that there are not any other areas of prolapse such as an internal prolapse or a rectocele which would require treatment at the same time.

Most women will also have tests of their sphincter muscle function (anorectal physiology) and an endoanal ultrasound scan to look for any damage to the muscle.

Treatment of Sigmoidocele

If symptoms are minimal then no surgical treatment may be necessary. Keeping the stools soft and avoiding straining should help to prevent the enterocele or sigmoidocele getting larger. Sometimes glycerine suppositories or small enemas will help emptying.

For most women who have an enterocele or sigmoidocele that is causing pressure symptoms or problems with bowel emptying, a repair is recommended. The type of repair will depend on whether there is any other pelvic floor weakness or prolapse. An operation to repair an enterocele through the vagina may be performed in conjunction with a gynecologist. Sometimes a ventral mesh rectopexy may be considered particularly if internal rectal prolapse co-exists.


References

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Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
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Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Sigmoidocele – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

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