Cystocele (Anterior Prolapse)
WHAT IS ANTERIOR PROLAPSE (CYSTOCELE)? Anterior prolapse, also called cystocele or a prolapsed bladder, is when the bladder drops from its normal position in the pelvis and pushes on the front wall of the vagina. The pelvic floor, the tissue between the bladder and front vaginal wall, has a variety of muscles, connective tissues, and […] Read More
Top Doctors For Cystocele (Anterior Prolapse) Treatments
Top Hospitals For Cystocele (Anterior Prolapse) Treatments
Cystocele (Anterior Prolapse)
- Grade 1 Cystocele; which is the mild form of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.
- Grade 2 Cystocele; is the moderate form of anterior wall prolapse.
- Grade 3 Cystocele; is a severe form of anterior prolapse, where the bladder drops further past the uterus.
- Hysterectomy.
- Obesity.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Aging.
- Sex or gender.
- Genetics.
- A pelvic examination by your doctor.
- Filling out a questionnaire. The form guides your doctor when assessing your medical history, the degree of your prolapse, and how much it affects your quality of life. It also helps with treatment decisions.
- Bladder tests to assess the emptying of your bladder
- Urine test to know if there is any bladder infection.
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises (often called Kegel exercises). Help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Consult a physical therapist.
- Pessary (a supportive device).
- Lifting back the prolapsed bladder:
- Removing a prolapsed uterus and repairing the damaged pelvic floor.
- Urethral suspension
- Tighten (contract) your pelvic floor muscles – the muscle you use for urinating
- Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, and then relax for 5 seconds (To make it less difficult, you may start holding for 2 seconds and relaxing for 3 seconds).
- Work up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds at a time.
- Do three sets of 10 repetitions of the exercise each day.
- Treat and prevent constipation. Take more of high fiber foods.
- Control coughing. Get treatment for a chronic cough or bronchitis. Don’t smoke.
- Avoid heavy lifting, and lift correctly. When you are lifting, it’s better to use your legs instead of your waist or back.
- Manage your weight. Determine your ideal weight and get advice on weight-loss strategies.
Symptoms
SYMPTOMS OF ANTERIOR PROLAPSE
Mild cases of cystocele may not show signs or symptoms, but moderate to severe may. When signs and symptoms appear, they may include the following:
- A feeling of pressure on your pelvic and vagina
- A feeling or sight of a bulge of tissue in your vagina
- Difficulty in starting a urine stream
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
- A feeling that you have not completely emptied your bladder
- A severe discomfort when coughing, straining, bearing down, or lifting weights.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal discharge.
These symptoms may be more noticeable when you are standing for a long time, but feel relief when lying down.
Causes
CAUSES OF CYSTOCELE
Your pelvic floor (which consists of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues) is that which supports your bladder and other pelvic organs.
Pressure from the pelvic organs, as well as strains resulting from the trauma of childbirth, chronic strains from heavy lifting, violent coughing, and constipation, over time,e can render the pelvic floor weak.
When this happens, your bladder can slip down lower than normal and bulge into your vagina.
Stress to the pelvic floor may be caused by the following reasons:
- Obesity or overweight
- Strenuous bowel movements
- Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth
- Lifting heavy weights repeatedly
- A chronic cough or bronchitis
- Strenuous exercises, over time.
FAQ
How can I stop cystoceles from getting worse?
The following can help your prolapse from getting worse:
- Do Kegel exercise every day to strengthen your muscles.
- Prevent or correct constipation
- Reach and stay at a healthy weight
- Avoid activities that stress your pelvic muscles, such as heavy lifting.
How do you fix a prolapse without surgery?
You might be able to relieve some symptoms on your own without surgery. You can do exercises at home that make your pelvic muscles stronger. If you choose, your doctor can fit you with a device called a pessary. A pessary can help you cope with pelvic organ prolapse.
What should you not do with a prolapse?
If you have pelvic organ prolapse, avoid things that could make it worse. That means don’t lift, strain, or pull. If possible, try not to be on your feet for long periods. Some women find that they feel more pressure when they stand a lot.
Is walking good for bladder prolapse?
Walking is the best exercise during bladder prolapse surgery recovery, doing pelvic floor exercise, resting each day.
Does prolapse cause discharge?
Moderate to severe prolapse may cause symptoms such as the feeling that you’re sitting on a ball, vaginal bleeding, and increased discharge.