Often, following pelvic surgery and the use of a catheter, you may experience bladder spasms.

In most cases, the spasms are mild and will disappear given time for the bladder to adjust to the removal of the catheter.

If you find your bladder spasms are keeping you awake or adding additional pain to your discomfort, make sure to mention the spasms to your doctor with specific details on when you experience them, how often and length of the pain.

The sudden onset of urine leaking following a surgery in the pelvic area can signal a fistula. A bladder fistula is leakage from the bladder to the vagina. Although rare, this is a complication seen in some pelvic surgeries including a hysterectomy. An initial exam usually includes a visual exam with a speculum. Diagnostic tools include dye tests, cystoscopy, retrograde pyelograms, fistulagrams and other imaging studies. Your doctor can determine if surgery is necessary.

Some simple fistulas may respond to constant bladder drainage for at least 4 weeks to give the bladder a chance to heal. Or, for simple rectovaginal fistulas, the patient may be asked to modify their diet and use fiber supplements.

Most fistulas require surgery to repair the damage but often is not scheduled until the body is allowed to try to heal on its own.

Many women experience urinary incontinence which is an involuntary loss of urine. Some women lose a few drops while running or coughing. Others may feel a sudden urge to void followed by a large loss of urine. Women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men usually following childbirth, menopause or after a hysterectomy. Click here to read more about stress incontinence

Incontinence occurs because of problems with muscles and nerves that help to hold or release urine.

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, talk to your doctor. There are treatment options!

A burning sensation when you urinate

Feeling like you need to urinate more often than usual

Feeling the urge to urinate but not being able to void

Leaking a little urine

Cloudy, dark, smelly or bloody urine

If you have urinary tract infections that do not seem to clear up with the prescribed treatment, you may be experiencing Interstitial Cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis is chronic inflammation of the bladder. Women who have interstitial cystitis have a bladder wall that is inflamed and irritated . This inflammation can scar the bladder or make it stiff. A stiff bladder can't expand as urine fills it. In some cases, the walls of the bladder may bleed slightly and some women get sores in the bladder walls.

If you have been struggling with a presumed UTI that will not go away, ask your doctor about Interstitial cystitis which has many of the same symptoms.

The HysterSisters Pelvic Floor forum is a wonderful place to hear from other women who are experiencing pelvic floor prolapse concerns. Visit our forum - gain support and friends! Click to browse the Pelvic Floor Forum.

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Pelvic Floor Articles

• Alternatives to Mesh
• Anal Fissures
• Biomesh vs. Synthetic Mesh
• Bladder - Urinary Tract Infection?
• Bladder Fistula
• Bladder Spasms After Hysterectomy?
• Failed Fistula Repair
• IC or Adhesions?
• IC/PBS -- Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Multiple Procedures at the Same Time
• Odd Symptom - Post Rectocele - Fistula
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
• Potential Complications of Synthetic Mesh
• Questions to Ask about Catheter and Urine Bag
• Recovery Advice for after Rectocele Repair
• Self-Catheterization After Surgery
• Should I Hold Off on Prolapse Repair Surgery?
• Skin Flap in Vagina after A&P
• Strengthening Pelvic Muscles
• TOT Sling
• TVT or Collagen Injections?
• TVT Sling
• Types of Celes
• Types of Fistulas
• Types of Incontinence
• Types of Specialists
• Urinary Incontinence? I'm Not Old Enough!
• Urine Bag
• Vaginismus
• Weightlifting after Cystocele Repair
• What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
• What Is a pessary?
• What Is A&P?
• What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
• What Is Splinting?

Having a hysterectomy can weaken pelvic muscles. There are great benefits in working to strengthen them.

Women with bladder control problems may find reduced leakage with the strengthening of pelvic muscles. HysterSisters also report heightened sexual enjoyment with the toning of these muscles.

Check with your doctor or nurse to teach you the correct technique. You can also check yourself by placing a finger in your vagina and squeezing around it (After your doctor releases you at your surgical post-op appointment. Until then, nothing in the vagina.). When you feel pressure around your finger, you are using the correct muscles.

Try to keep everything relaxed except the muscles right around the vagina. At the same time, do not bear down or squeeze your thigh, back or abdominal muscles. Breathe slowly and deeply. At first you can do the exercises with your knees together (lying or sitting).

We recommend doing the exercises for five minutes twice a day. You should squeeze the muscles for a count of four and relax for a count of four. With practice it will become easier as the muscles get stronger.

The great thing about Kegel exercises is that they are easy to do anywhere. Many women create a routine of doing Kegel exercises for 5 minutes before they get up in the morning and for 5 minutes before going to sleep.

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