Symptoms and Signs of Prolapsed Bladder

Doctor's Notes on Prolapsed Bladder

A prolapsed bladder is medically known as a cystocele. It occurs due to the weakening of the tissues between a woman's bladder and her vagina, allowing the bladder to droop into the vagina. A cystocele can be mild or severe and may be caused by:

• muscle straining while giving birth,
• heavy lifting, or 
• repeated straining during bowel movements,

Signs and symptoms of a prolapsed bladder include:

• leakage of urine and 
• an inability to completely empty the bladder. 

Other associated symptoms may include:

• a feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvis, 
• lower back pain, 
• urgent need to urinate, 
• pain during sexual intercourse, and 
• a bulge in the vagina that can be felt or seen.

What Is the Treatment for Prolapsed Bladder?

Treatment for a prolapsed bladder depends on the severity of the condition. 

• Mild cases may not require specific treatment other than avoiding heavy lifting or straining. 
• Nonsurgical treatments for prolapsed bladder include estrogen therapy to strengthen the walls of the vagina or a pessary, which is a small object inserted into the vagina to hold the bladder in place. 
• For more serious cases, there are various surgical procedures designed to treat prolapsed bladder.