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What is a Dropped Bladder?
A dropped bladder, also known as a prolapsed bladder, occurs when the wall between a woman's vagina and bladder weaken and the bladder drops into the vagina. The medical term for this condition is called cystocele. This condition often occurs after childbirth when the vagina heals but never recovers its full strength. It can also occur as a result of menopause when estrogen levels decrease. This reduction in estrogen weakens the vaginal walls.
Lifting heavy objects can also cause strain to the muscles surrounding the bladder and vagina. Frequent straining during bowel movements has also been known to cause a prolapsed bladder. No matter how the dropped bladder occurs, this weakening of the vaginal walls causes the bladder to slip so that it rests outside of the abdomen.
Women who suffer from a dropped bladder condition may experience urine leakage whenever they laugh, cough, and perform other activities that cause the abdomen to press on the bladder. The pressure of the abdomen on the abdomen causes urine leakage. This condition is uncomfortable that causes a woman to feel pressure inside the vagina, almost as if a small ball is resting inside the birth canal. Any bladder tissue exposed through the vaginal opening may feel painful and tender.
In order to diagnose a dropped bladder, a medical examination is required. The doctor will ask the patient to cough or push so that the doctor can determine the position of the bladder. If the doctor diagnoses the patient with dropped bladder, he will decide which treatment is most beneficial for the patient. Simple cases may only require Kegel exercises, techniques that help to strengthen the vaginal muscles.
The Kegel exercises enable the vagina to hold the bladder in its proper place. Women who have gone through menopause might be prescribed estrogen treatment. To reduce vaginal irritation, doctors may recommend vaginal lubricants.
Other prolapsed bladder cases may require more complex treatments. For example, some women may require a device called a pessary to be placed inside the vagina. Pessaries are used to hold the vagina in the correct position.
Some patients may experience irritation once the pessary is inserted, but these devices are ideal for those whose urethra or bladder is not affected by the pessary. Patients who have serious cases of dropped bladder will need to undergo surgery to correct the bladder's position. This procedure involves placing stitches in both the front and back walls of the vagina, thereby providing support to the bladder.
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![A dropped bladder often occurs after childbirth.]()
By: ollyA dropped bladder often occurs after childbirth. -
![Frequent straining during bowel movements may cause a dropped bladder.]()
By: Ruggiero ScardignoFrequent straining during bowel movements may cause a dropped bladder. -
![Women with a dropped bladder may experience urine leakage whenever they laugh.]()
By: ArtFamilyWomen with a dropped bladder may experience urine leakage whenever they laugh. -
![The human urinary tract, including the bladder in pink at the bottom.]()
By: 3drenderingsThe human urinary tract, including the bladder in pink at the bottom. -
![A dropped bladder occurs when the bladder has dropped into the vagina.]()
By: isysteA dropped bladder occurs when the bladder has dropped into the vagina.
Discussion Comments
I have a dropped bladder. It was fixed one time, but now it has dropped out and is burning. What can I do to stop the burning?
I have been experiencing the same thing -- dropped bladder -- and have to go to the bathroom quite frequently. I know I need to see a doctor before it gets worse. I sometimes push it back cause it's an uncomfortable feeling, not sure if that is helping any, it scares me to look there! I've never had an operation for female problems besides having three children years back. Time for the GYN I guess !
l have had two surgeries for dropped bladder and l have a lot of bladder infections. They say l need another surgery for it but the doctors won't do it because it didn't work for long the last two times. l constantly get bladder infections. They recommended I go and see a specialist in Cincinnati who is supposed to be good. Both times l have had this done the mesh didn't hold. Please help me. I don't know what to do. l live in Michigan.
It's the same as one of your readers 343878.
Is there something on the market to insert to keep me from getting infections. I did have my bladder pinned up some years ago but can't say it really helped.
Please help! I am fed up taking antibiotics.
Maureen
My bladder, I guess, sometimes bulges out of my vagina. It looks like a plum. Can sex rupture or injure it?
I have been able to poke it back in place, have no symptoms and have been too busy to see my gyn. Is this serious? I had a hysterectomy 35 years ago.
This is great post about light bladder leakage in females. The light bladder leakage is an uncomfortable condition for ladies. They feel very embarrassed because of it. For light bladder leakage, the Kegel exercises are the best treatment for females. These exercises help control the leakage.
I have a problem with urinating. About 60 percent of the time I can't and my doc says it's because of a dropped bladder because when I had a hysterectomy the doctor didn't put a sling in to hold the bladder up. Has anyone ever heard of that?
Ihave just found out that I have a dropped bladder and the doctor has told me that they will wait a couple of years before any further treatment will be taken. I was wondering if this can get any worse or if there was anything I could do to help, and will it keep me from having any more children? I have heard all sorts or rumours.
I just found out I've got dropped bladder and I'v got to have surgery.
I do not really have a leakage problem but I do have trouble urinating from a dropped bladder.
I know that this problem usually is noticed by having to go more that normal. I am on diuretics (not by choice-medically necessary) so I go more than normal. When I don't go more than normal is when the problem occurs.
This is extremely painful. Any suggestions?
Some of the common dropped bladder symptoms can appear to be similar to that of an overactive bladder.
A lot of times women who think they only have an overactive bladder may actually be suffering from a dropped bladder.
Just another reason to see your doctor whenever something strange starts going on down there -- even though it can be embarrassing to mention, it's better to get treated than to suffer in silence!
@FirstViolin -- When my mom was having bladder problems, we went with a urethral sling.
However, there are other options besides surgery for a dropped bladder.
Besides the Kegel exercises mentioned above, my mom's doctor told her to do some yoga -- apparently certain poses can help to strengthen bladder muscles, which can help to hold the bladder in place.
I would discuss it with your doctor, he or she could tell you some of the less invasive treatments for bladder control.
Does anybody have any advice about the pros and cons of different methods for dropped bladder repair?
My mom has suffered from leakage for a long time, and we are trying to decide which way to go next as far as surgery and treatments.
Thank you!
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