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Prolapsed Bladder

Prolapsed Bladder Overview

The bladder is a hollow organ in the pelvis that stores urine. The pressure created when the bladder fills with urine is what causes the urge to urinate. During urination, the urine travels from the bladder and out the body through the urethra.  

In women, the front wall of the vagina supports the bladder. This wall can weaken or loosen with age. Significant bodily stress such as childbirth can also damage this part of the vaginal wall. If it deteriorates enough, the bladder can prolapse, meaning it is no longer supported and descends into the vagina. This may trigger problems such as urinary difficulties, discomfort, and stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by sneezing, coughing, exertion, etc). 

  • Prolapsed bladders (also called cystoceles or fallen bladders) are separated into 4 grades based on how far the bladder droops into the vagina.  

    • Grade 1 (mild): Only a small portion of the bladder droops into the vagina.

    • Grade 2 (moderate): The bladder droops enough to be able to reach the opening of the vagina.

    • Grade 3 (severe): The bladder protrudes from the body through the vaginal opening.

    • Grade 4 (complete): The entire bladder protrudes completely outside the vagina; usually associated with other forms of pelvic organ prolapse (uterine prolapse, rectocele, enterocele).
Prolapsed bladders are commonly associated with menopause. Prior to menopause, women's bodies create the hormone estrogen, which helps keep the muscles in and around the vagina strong. Women's bodies stop creating estrogen after menopause, and those muscles tend to weaken as a result.



Next: Prolapsed Bladder Causes »

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Norvartis P&G
Norvartis P&G
Important Safety Information | Prescribing Information
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ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:

  • · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
  • · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
  • · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENABLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENABLEX affects you.


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Prolapsed Bladder

Incontinence FAQs »

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is a common condition that means the involuntary loss of urine. This condition can occur for a number of reasons but is most commonly associated with the loss of urine when coughing, sneezing, or exercising or by the inability to hold urine when the urge to urinate occurs. Both men and women are affected by incontinence, most typically as they get older. Several types and causes of incontinence exist, and many can be treated to either eliminate or significantly reduce the problem.

Who is affected by incontinence?

Incontinence is sometimes called a silent epidemic because people struggling with the condition often do not talk about it to others or their physicians. Researchers estimate that 13 million or more people in the United States alone are affected by incontinence.

  • One in 10 people aged 65 or older are estimated to experience bladder control problems.
  • 15-30% of elderly peop...

Read the Incontinence FAQs article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Urethral Prolapse »

Urethral prolapse is a circular protrusion of the distal urethra through the external meatus.

Read More on eMedicine »

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