Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.

When you have a prolapsed bladder diagnosis and are looking for a gynecology specialist in Boca Raton, it is of the utmost importance to know as much as possible about the condition and the appropriate treatments for each stage.

In the human body, the bladder is an organ in the pelvis where urine is stored. When the ligaments holding the bladder and the muscles of the front vaginal wall are weakened or loosened and can no longer fully support the weight of the organ itself, a condition called prolapsed bladder or cystocele develops.

This condition is referred to in different ways:

  • prolapsed bladder
  • cystocele
  • fallen bladder
  • dropped bladder
  • herniated bladder

When doctors indicate that you have a fallen bladder, that means that the organ has descended into the vagina, and depending on how far the organ has dropped, the medical professionals determine the stage of the condition. 

There are four bladder prolapse stages or grades: mild, moderate, severe, and complete. These will be deliberated in more detail in the following sections. 

Prolapse Cystocele Female Reproductive System Uterus With Inscriptions Text

Causes 

In order to determine the best approach when it comes to treatment, it is essential to understand what are the causes of a prolapsed bladder. These are some of the most common ones:

  • Menopause where the estrogen hormone, which is in charge of keeping the vaginal muscles healthy and strong, is not being produced anymore
  • Childbirth, marked as one of the most common causes of a fallen bladder, stresses the vaginal muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor, and they cannot support the bladder afterward as efficiently as before
  • Straining the muscles by heavy lifting, constipation, or frequent coughing
  • Family anamnesis 
  • Obesity
  • Surgical procedures such as hysterectomy 

Cystocele Symptoms 

There are quite a few symptoms that will help you determine whether you have cystocele or not, and below we are sharing the most common ones.

  • Women usually share that they have a feeling that there is a tissue shaped like a ball in the vagina
  • There is difficulty while urinating 
  • Discomfort and pain in the pelvis are present
  • A tender tissue is sticking out from the vagina
  • The need to constantly urinate, although the bladder is empty
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Bladder infections
  • Lower back pain
  • The feeling of fullness and heaviness in the pelvic area 
  • Pain felt during sexual intercourse
  • Urine leakage, i.e., stress incontinence, occurs when the person coughs or sneezes
  • Issues with inserting tampons or contraceptives 

If any of these cystocele symptoms happen, it is highly recommended to contact your chosen doctor. The fallen bladder cannot heal independently, so schedule a consultation as soon as possible if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Timely intervention helps to prevent the worsening of the condition, where it goes from the mild stages to very severe situations. 

Diagnosis of the Condition

After you have notified your chosen doctor about the potential symptoms of bladder prolapse, there are different approaches they can take to diagnose the condition.

Some potential approaches can be:

  • Examination of the genitalia and the pelvis (pelvic exam) 
  • Cystourethrogram where X-ray footage is taken during the process of urination to determine the shape of the bladder and potential causes of difficulties 
  • X-rays of the abdomen to rule out any other potential causes
  • Examination of nerves and muscles, together with a test of the strength of the urine stream
  • Urodynamics examination where the bladder’s potential to hold and release urine (volume and pressure) is tested and measured 
  • Cystoscopy exam where the bladder and the urinary tracts are examined for any blockages, tumors, deformities, etc. using a long tube-shaped instrument 

Bladder Prolapse Stages

As previously mentioned, cystocele can have four stages, as follows:

  1. The first stage is referred to as the mild stage, and only a tiny portion of the bladder has fallen into the vagina.
  2. The second stage is viewed as moderate, and the bladder usually drops onto the opening of the vagina.
  3. The third or severe stage of the fallen bladder is characterized by the fact that the bladder bulges through the vaginal opening. 
  4. The fourth and final stage is known as a complete prolapse, meaning that the entire organ completely bulges outside of the vagina.

Different stages of the condition demand different approaches to treatments. Below read more about the possible options when it comes to remedies. 

Appropriate Treatment of Cystocele 

When it comes to treatments of the fallen bladder, there are various recommendations and approaches doctors can take to treat the condition successfully. Multiple factors are taken into account when determining the treatment path, such as general health, preferences, age, and most importantly, the prolapse stage. 

  • When the condition is only in the mild stage, there is no required treatment, and the patients are usually just advised to avoid heavy lifting and straining the muscles.
  • Some of the non-surgical treatment options are: weight loss, estrogen replacement therapy, exercises to strengthen the muscles and opening of the vagina and urethra (Kegel exercises), and pessary insertion (a device placed into the body to hold the bladder).
  • Some of the surgical treatment options are reconstructive surgery to move the bladder back to its position, such as anterior repair, synthetic material placement, or sewing the vagina shut.
  • Some other alternative options can be: electrical stimulation of the targeted muscles within the vagina and pelvis and biofeedback, where a sensor is used to follow muscle activity in the vagina and the pelvic floor.

It is important to note that if you choose a surgical approach to treating the condition, the surgeon must explain all the procedure details, including risks, benefits, and complications. Usually, the patients can go home right after the treatment, but they are advised to avoid heavy lifting and straining of muscles for at least six weeks or even more. Also, it is advised to schedule a follow-up consultation to monitor the healing progress.

Colposcopy, Examination of a Cervix. Colposcope Close-Up, in the Background a Gynecologist and a Female Patient

Can I Prevent the Prolapse?

Certain situations can be avoided in order to prevent reaching the mentioned condition. 

  • Try and lower your body weight by incorporating a healthy diet and taking plenty of fluids 
  • High-fiber foods regulate your bowel movement so that you can avoid constipation and straining
  • Avoid heavy lifting as much as possible

Unfortunately, some factors such as age, menopause, and family history cannot be avoided or prevented.

Do You Need More Information?

Being medical professionals, we understand very well how scary cystocele can be when it reaches severe stages, so our team is ready to step in and help you with any concerns you might have, as well as offer you the best possible care and treatment of the condition. Call us whenever you decide, and we will do our best to protect you and take care for your reproductive health.

 

Dr. Ellman is a Board Certified OBGYN who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. His office, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, is located in Boca Raton, Florida at West Boca Medical Center. Dr. Ellman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he received his medical degree. He went on to intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston- an affiliate of Harvard Medical School- and continued his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York- an affiliate of Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

Published On: August 1st, 2022