Prolapsed Bladder Repair: Overview and Treatment

Prolapsed Bladder Repair: Overview and Treatment
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Overview

As part of the urinary system, the bladder is the organ that stores urine before it can be expelled from the body. The urine is produced in the kidney, and travels through the ureters to the bladder. As the amount of urine increases in the bladder, this causes the muscular walls of the organ to expand, and the person senses this as the urge to urinate. In women, the bladder lies just on top of the anterior outer wall of the vagina. The vagina supports the bladder, and any condition that affects the musculature of the vagina, might have an effect on the bladder. Therefore, a prolapsed bladder or cystocele occurs when the vaginal wall is no longer able to support the bladder and the bladder “prolapses” or falls into it.

A prolapsed bladder can be either a mild form of the condition or be completely prolapsed. In a complete bladder prolapse, the whole bladder will protrude from the vagina. In a more moderate form of this condition, the bladder just protrudes enough to reach the opening of the vagina. The mild form of prolapsed bladder involves only a small amount of the bladder entering the woman’s vagina.

The Causes of Prolapsed Bladder

The main cause of prolapsed bladder in women is pregnancy and child-bearing. While the woman is giving birth, the vagina needs to stretch, and there is strain as the woman pushes to get the baby out. These conditions are prefect for a prolapsed bladder to occur.

A second cause of prolapsed bladder is straining during bowel movements, coughing, or while lifting heavy objects. These activities might place a strain on muscle walls, and can weaken the wall of the vagina resulting on the bladder prolapsing.

A third reason for a prolapsed bladder is menopause. This condition is more common in older women who have entered menopause because the hormone estrogen has been reduced during this time. With less estrogen hormone to maintain the structure and strength of the vaginal wall, the bladder can prolapse into it.

The Signs & Symptoms Of A Prolapsed Bladder

The signs and symptoms of a prolapsed bladder can be numerous. The most common signs and symptoms are a feeling of pain in the pelvic area. The woman might feel as if something is falling from the vagina. The woman can experience difficulty urinating, a feeling of having a full bladder after complete emptying, or urine coming out when straining, coughing, or lifting.

The person can also have problems with painful intercourse if the prolapse is at a moderate level. Other signs of prolapsed bladder include bladder tissue protruding from the vagina, bleeding, and lower back pain. In severe cases, infection can occur.

Prolapsed Bladder Treatment

The most simple nonsurgical treatment for bladder prolapse repair is the use of a pessary. This is s ring or tube-like structure that is placed into the vagina to strengthen the wall in mild to some moderate forms of bladder prolapse. The pessary is held in place giving support to the muscle walls, and in turn the wall of the bladder.

In mild prolapsed bladder, the physician can advise the woman to strengthen the vaginal muscles by doing exercises called Kegel exercises. The physician will be available to provide more information on how to do these exercises correctly.

There are a few treatments for a complete prolapsed bladder, but surgery is usually the choice of treatment for prolapsed bladder repair. The surgery is performed by placing the bladder back into position, and repairing the tear within the vaginal wall. Recurrence of this occurs in at least ten percent of women.

References

Print Source: Davidson, Stanley & C. Haslett. 2002. “Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine.” Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

Web Source. WebMD, LLC. “Repair of bladder prolapse (cystocele) or urethra prolapse (urethrocele).” 2008. Available: Available: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/repair-of-the-bladder-or-urethra.