How to fix a prolapsed bladder without surgery?

A prolapsed bladder is when your bladder drops from its normal position, resulting in a loss of bladder control and urinary incontinence. Despite it not being talked about much it is more common than you think. You may assume surgery is the only option, but most women successfully manage symptoms with non-surgical treatments. Non-surgical options can help reduce the pain and pressure of mild to moderate prolapse and also preserve fertility if the uterus is prolapsed. Here’s how to fix a prolapsed bladder without surgery.

📝 What is a prolapsed bladder?

The female pelvic floor consists of the vagina, uterus, bladder and bowel. These pelvic organs control urinary functions, bowel functions, support during sexual activity, pelvic stability and the place where a baby develops during pregnancy.

A pelvic organ prolapse happens when the ligaments and the pelvic floor muscles that support the pelvic organs stretch, causing the organs to drop down.

There are different types of prolapse:

• Cystocele: The bladder drops into the front wall of the vagina
• Enterocele: The small intestine bulges into the vagina
• Rectocele: The rectum bulges into the vagina
• Uterine Prolapse: The uterus drops into the vagina
• Vaginal Vault Prolapse: The top of the vagina loses its support and drops

📊 Symptoms of a prolapse

If your bladder prolapse is mild, you might not have any symptoms and your quality of life is unaffected. Prolapse symptoms depend on the severity of the bladder prolapse and your general overall health.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling of pressure in your vagina
• A lump that bulges out of your vagina
• Difficulty passing urine
• A feeling that you have not fully emptied your bladder
• Urinary incontinence (urine leakage)
• Problems or pain during sex
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

In severe prolapse cases, the vaginal wall or cervix may protrude outside the vaginal entrance.

📝 What causes a prolapse?

Stretched or weakened pelvic ligaments cause a prolapse. Many different causes can damage the ligaments. These include:

• Vaginal births
• A family history of prolapses
• Obesity
• Hysterectomy
• Menopause. The lower levels of estrogen associated with menopause can cause the vaginal walls to weaken. If they deteriorate enough, the bladder is no longer supported and can fall into the vagina. This can cause urinary problems such as stress incontinence

Other risk factors include:

• Constipation
• Heavy lifting
• Chronic cough

📝 Effective non-surgical treatments for a prolapsed bladder

While surgery may be the right treatment for some women with bladder prolapse, it’s not the only treatment, there are two main treatment options shown to be effective.

Pelvic floor exercises (often called Kegel exercises)

Pelvic floor exercises are the first line treatment for bladder prolapse. This therapy strengthens the muscles that support your pelvic organs and may be the only treatment needed in mild cases of uterine prolapse.

To do Kegel exercises, tighten your pelvic muscles as if you’re trying to hold back urine. Hold the muscles tight for a few seconds and then release. Repeat 10 times. You may do these exercises anywhere and at any time.

Kegel exercises may be most successful at relieving symptoms when the exercises are taught by a physical therapist and reinforced with biofeedback. Biofeedback involves using monitoring devices that help ensure you’re tightening the proper muscles with optimal intensity and length of time. These exercises can help improve your symptoms, but may not decrease the size of the prolapse.

A vaginal pessary

Another non-surgical option is a vaginal pessary. It is a simple supportive device for managing bladder prolapse. The device is fitted into the vagina by a gynaecologist to provide support to vaginal tissues. Vaginal pessaries come in different shapes and sizes depending on your need. The most common is called a ring pessary. After the initial fitting, the ring pessary is self-managed, meaning you can remove and clean it once a week. It provides daily support and is worn comfortably all day. For more severe cases, space-occupying pessaries may be suggested. They provide extra support, but typically require regular check-ups every few months for cleaning and adjustments.

📝 Prevention of a prolapse

There are some things you can do that may help prevent a bladder prolapse:

• Diet and lifestyle changes: Changes to your diet and lifestyle may be helpful in relieving symptoms like constipation. Increasing your water intake and eating a high-fibre diet can help to prevent straining during bowel movements. Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type puts less pressure on your pelvic muscles when you stand or walk
• Avoid lifting heavy objects and lift correctly: Don’t try to lift heavy objects by yourself. If you’re lifting a heavy object on your own or working out, use proper form. When lifting, use your legs instead of your waist or back
• Control coughing: Chronic coughing caused by smoking, asthma or other medical conditions can cause prolapses. Get treatment for a chronic cough or bronchitis and don’t smoke
• Control body weight: Carrying excess weight, especially around the abdominal adds to the pressure that can stress and weaken the pelvic floor

📝 Conclusion

Speak to your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of a prolapsed bladder, especially if it affects your quality of life. A healthcare provider who specialises in urology, women’s health or Obstetrics and Gynecology can diagnose a prolapsed bladder. They can recommend the most suitable alternatives to prolapse surgery, such as the non-surgical treatment options discussed above.

Sources

• Uterine Prolapse: Stages, Symptoms, Treatment & Surgery
• Pelvic organ prolapse – NHS
• Anterior vaginal prolapse (cystocele) – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic