Bladder Prolapse Treatment

Suffering from a bladder prolapse or cystocele can be very uncomfortable or even painful. There are numerous treatment options available, from hormone supplements to surgery; these can make dealing with the prolapse more manageable, and surgery can reposition the bladder completely.

Definition

• A bladder prolapse also goes by the name cystocele and refers to a situation where the bladder drops down into the vagina. It may be virtually undetectable in minor cases, or it may actually push all the way out of the vagina in severe ones. Bladder prolapse is usually caused by excessive straining from childbirth or heavy lifting. As you age, hormones which are responsible for keeping the vaginal wall toned become depleted. A weak spot in this wall can lead to a prolapse.

Hormones

• Hormones are sometimes prescribed as treatment for a prolapsed bladder. Specifically, estrogen is used to add strength and tone to the vaginal wall and pelvic floor muscles, which often lose their tone as you age. After straining during childbirth, this wall may also stretch beyond its natural elasticity, causing damage and weakness and making an estrogen supplement vital to repair.

Pessary

• If the bladder has dropped into the vagina and causes pain, a pessary is sometimes used. A pessary is an appliance that is inserted into the vagina and used to hold the bladder in its proper place. You may be prescribed a pessary that you can remove and clean yourself or one that only your doctor can take out.

Kegel Exercises

• If you have a mild prolapse, Kegel exercises can work wonders in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles repeatedly for several sets each day. If you've never done these exercises before, a good way to tell if you're doing them right is to try to stop the flow when urinating. The muscles you used to shut off the flow are the same you should contract and relax. You can do these exercises anywhere and at any time to tone the vagina.

Surgery

• In advanced cases, surgery is prescribed to treat bladder prolapses. Surgery involves making an incision in the wall of the vagina and pushing the bladder back into its proper place. Then, the vagina is reinforced and made stronger so the prolapse doesn't happen again. You can usually return to normal life after six weeks of recovery, though straining or heavy lifting should be avoided to prevent a re-occurrence.

Electric Pulses

• In some cases, electrical stimulation may be used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. A small probe is inserted into the vagina and applied to the wall. The device puts out electrical currents that make the muscles contract. This helps strengthen the vagina, discourages further prolapse and may work to reverse some of the damage caused by a minor prolapse.