Cystocele Definition
A cystocele, sometimes called prolapsed bladder is characterized when the wall between a woman's bladder and the vagina stretches and weakens, letting the bladder bulge into the vagina.
Cystocele Diagnosis
Doctors will conduct a pelvic exam in order to diagnose cystocele. They may instruct you to contract the muscles or your pelvis, ask you to bear down and push as if you are having a bowel movement, letting them see how far the bladder protrudes into the vagina and they may also look for the telltale bulge in the vaginal wall, making prolapse easy to diagnose.
Cystocele Treatment
The treatment for cystocele is dependent on the severity of the condition. Self care measures such as special exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles may be done in mild cases or to those with few or no obvious symptoms. Treatments in case self-care measures are not effective may be done through estrogen therapy to those who have experienced menopause which can either be done orally or in a vaginal cream, where estrogen which helps keeps muscles strong decreases after menopause. Another treatment is done through vaginal pessary where a plastic or rubber ring is inserted in the vagina, supporting the bladder by pushing it up back into place.
Cystocele Symptoms and Signs
Cystocele symptoms may include recurrent bladder infections, loss of urinary control with coughing, laughing or sneezing (stress incontinence), pain or urinary leakage during sexual intercourse, increased discomfort when you strain, cough, bear down or lift; a feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis and vagina especially when standing for long periods of time; a feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder after urinating and a bulge tissue that protrudes through the vaginal opening in severe cases.
Cystocele Causes
The most common causes of cystocele are pregnancy and childbirth. This is because of the stretching and the weakening of the muscles and ligaments that support and hold the vagina during labor and delivery. Multiple pregnancies make cystoceles more common. Cystocele may also be caused by straining your pelvic floor muscles through straining with bowel movements, being obese or overweight, having a chronic cough or bronchitis and repeated heavy lifting.
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Cystocele exam