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Dropped Bladder Symptoms and Treatments

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While many may have little knowledge or awareness of it, a large number of women have to deal with various bladder problems at different stages of their lives. Some women suffer from excessive urination, urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence, to name a few. One bladder problem that many females have to deal with but is rarely spoken about is cystocele, more commonly known as a dropped bladder. Here is a look at what exactly this condition is, what the potential causes and treatments are and what fallen bladder symptoms women should be looking for.

Defining It

Pelvic organ prolapse is when one of the pelvic organs, such as the uterus, vagina, small bowel, rectum or bladder, prolapses, or drops, out of place and bulges into the vagina. A dropped bladder, or cystocele, occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that usually hold the bladder in place, are stretched or become weak and allows the bladder to drop, or prolapse. This creates a wide range of pain and discomfort for women as the bladder often bulges through this layer of muscles and ligaments and into the vagina.

If you would like more in-depth information about cystocele, contact your health care provider and they will provide you with a more thorough look at the causes, symptoms and treatments. If you are concerned that you might suffer from it, your doctor will be able to correctly diagnose it through a pelvic exam and potentially undergo tests such as a cystoscopy, urodynamics, x-ray, ultrasound or MRI.

Causes

There is a wide range of factors that can contribute to the likelihood or unlikelihood of having a dropped bladder. Problems often arise in those who struggle with obesity, chronic constipation, chronic coughing or are consistently lifting heavy objects. There is no one definite age where this may happen as it varies depending on what stage of life women are in. Those who are going through menopause tend to have a lower estrogen level which contributes to cystocele. Then there are the new mothers who have recently given birth vaginally that often struggle with these problems along with elderly women whose muscles have grown weak in the area that helps support the bladder.

Symptoms

If you are unsure as to whether or not you may suffer from cystocele, here are a few symptoms to keep a watchful eye out for. Pay attention to see if there is any bulging in the vaginal area or painful pressure in the pelvis, groin, vagina, lower back or abdomen. Other signs may be discomfort or leakage of urine when you are coughing, laughing or sneezing, or trying to lift something heavy. Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI), pain during intercourse or the feeling that you are not completely emptying your bladder are also common symptoms but seem to disappear as soon as you lie down.

Treatments

While there is currently no cure for cystocele, there are dropped bladder treatments that can be done after you have been diagnosed with cystocele. Those that have a mild form of cystocele may not be given any treatment but are often recommended to avoid any extreme heavy lifting or straining. If it is mildly bothersome, some doctors may recommend putting in a pessary which is a prosthetic device that is placed in the vagina to help hold the bladder in place. Oral medication to help improve bowel or bladder function and reduce any discomfort or symptoms you are suffering from may also be prescribed.

Those that have extreme cases of this will most likely require surgery to either move or keep the bladder in its normal position. Before this is decided though, you need to be well-informed and discuss in-depth with your doctor/surgeon what the risks and benefits are as well as alternative choices that are available if you do not feel comfortable going the surgical route.

Exercise

While there is no easy tell-all guide explaining to women how to cure a weak bladder, there are a few simple things that can help prevent and strengthen your pelvic muscles and tissue. Look online to find a local instructor who focuses on women who may have recently given birth and are looking for pelvic floor muscle training or physical therapy. Before signing up, make sure they teach Kegel exercises which are aimed at helping you prevent or control any potential pelvic floor problems.

In addition to pelvic floor muscle training, it is best to avoid smoking, extensive straining or coughing, and gaining excessive weight. If this is left untreated, it most likely will continue to get worse with time and may even cause obstruction of the kidneys or urinary retention down the road which can lead to kidney damage or infection.