Cystocele

A dropped bladder, also called anterior vaginal prolapse, happens when the bladder shifts from its normal place in the pelvis and pushes against the vaginal wall. The bladder, uterus, and intestines are usually held in place by strong muscles and tissues forming the pelvic floor. This support system can weaken over time, leading to a prolapse. Several factors can cause this weakening, including pregnancy and vaginal delivery, chronic constipation, persistent coughing, or heavy lifting. The heavy strain puts pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, causing them to weaken and potentially lead to organs dropping.

Anterior vaginal prolapse is treatable. If the problem is mild or moderate, there are often non-surgical ways to manage it. These methods can involve exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, or pessaries (devices inserted into the vagina to support the organs). However, in more serious cases, surgery may be required to reposition the organs and restore the support structure of the pelvic floor. This surgery aims to help the bladder and other pelvic organs return to their proper places.

Anterior vaginal prolapse is a condition where the front wall of the vagina weakens and bulges. In some cases, there are no noticeable problems. However, if you do experience symptoms, they might include:

• Feeling of pressure or fullness in your pelvis and vagina: This is a common early sign. It's like a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the area.

• A bulge in your vagina: You might see or feel a bulge of tissue within the vagina. This bulge may be more noticeable when you stand up or are active.

• Increased pressure during exertion: Activities like coughing, lifting, straining, or even heavy lifting can put more pressure on the pelvic floor, making the bulge more apparent or causing a feeling of pressure.

• Problems urinating: This can take several forms. You might have trouble starting your urine stream, feel like you haven't emptied your bladder completely, feel a frequent urge to urinate, or even experience leakage (incontinence).

• Symptoms worse after standing: Many of these symptoms tend to be worse when you're standing for a long time and often improve or go away when you lie down.

While a prolapsed bladder can be uncomfortable, it's usually not painful. However, it can make emptying your bladder more difficult, which raises the risk of bladder infections. If you notice any of these symptoms that affect your daily life, it's important to see a doctor. They can properly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.

A dropped bladder, also called a prolapsed bladder, can be uncomfortable. It usually doesn't hurt, but it can make it hard to completely empty your bladder. This can increase your risk of getting a bladder infection. If you notice any problems with emptying your bladder, or if it's affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor.

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that hold up your bladder and other organs in your pelvis. Think of it like a hammock supporting things inside. Over time, or due to events like childbirth or pushing hard for a long time, these supportive structures can weaken. This weakening can cause problems like the bladder dropping down and pushing against the vagina. This is sometimes called a vaginal bulge, or anterior prolapse.

Several things can put stress on your pelvic floor, making it more likely to weaken:

• Pregnancy and childbirth: The stretching and pushing during labor and delivery can strain the pelvic floor muscles. The pressure and weight of a baby also put extra stress on these structures.
• Extra weight: Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, making them work harder.
• Heavy lifting: Lifting heavy objects repeatedly puts a lot of strain on your whole body, including your pelvic floor.
• Straining during bowel movements: Chronic constipation or straining to have a bowel movement can weaken the pelvic floor muscles over time.
• Chronic cough: A persistent cough, like from bronchitis or other conditions, can put pressure on the pelvic floor. The constant coughing can weaken the muscles.

Anterior prolapse, a condition where the front wall of the vagina weakens and bulges, can be affected by several things. Here are some factors that can increase your chances of developing this issue:

• Pregnancy and Delivery: Having a baby, especially through vaginal delivery (either naturally or with instruments like forceps), can put stress on the pelvic floor muscles. Multiple pregnancies and babies with high birth weights can also increase the strain. The muscles and tissues supporting the vagina can be stretched and weakened during these events, making prolapse more likely.

• Getting Older: As we age, our bodies naturally change, and this includes the pelvic floor. The production of estrogen, a hormone important for maintaining the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, decreases, especially after menopause. This reduction in estrogen contributes to the weakening of the supportive tissues and increases the risk of prolapse.

• Surgery (Hysterectomy): Removing the uterus (a hysterectomy) can sometimes weaken the pelvic floor muscles and tissues. However, not all hysterectomies lead to prolapse. It depends on how the surgery is performed and other factors.

• Family History/Genetics: Some women may be predisposed to anterior prolapse because of their genetic makeup. This means they might have connective tissues that are naturally less strong, making them more prone to the condition.

• Weight: Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on the pelvic floor. This additional weight can strain the muscles and supportive tissues, increasing the risk of prolapse.

Diagnosing a vaginal bulge (anterior prolapse) often involves a few steps:

1. A physical exam: Your doctor will examine you, likely both while you're lying down and standing up. They'll look for any bulging of tissues inside your vagina. This bulge is a sign of pelvic organ prolapse. You might be asked to strain, like when you're having a bowel movement, to see how much the prolapse worsens. Your doctor will also ask you to tighten your pelvic floor muscles, similar to stopping the flow of urine, to assess their strength.

2. A questionnaire: You'll likely complete a form about your medical history, the extent of the prolapse, and how it's affecting your daily life. This helps your doctor understand the issue better and choose the best treatment approach.

3. Bladder function tests: If the prolapse is significant, your doctor might want to check how completely your bladder empties after you urinate. They might also test a urine sample to look for signs of a bladder infection, especially if you're noticing you're not emptying your bladder completely. This helps determine if bladder problems might be contributing to or caused by the prolapse.