Pelvic Floor - Vaginal Prolapse - Cystocele - Rectocele - Bladder

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Pelvic Floor - Vaginal Prolapse - Cystocele - Rectocele - Bladder

Pelvic Floor - Vaginal Prolapse - Cystocele - Rectocele - Bladder

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Pelvic Floor Prolapse

Removing the uterus, going through childbirth and going through menopause can weaken your pelvic floor and the network of muscles and ligaments holding your pelvic floor organs in place. Learn about the symptoms of pelvic floor prolapse and take action.

Contents:
What is Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Steps to Action

What is Pelvic Floor Prolapse?

The network of muscles and ligaments surrounding the vagina may weaken and cause the pelvic floor to collapse. There are different types of pelvic floor prolapse.

Vaginal Vault Prolapse

The top of the vagina may fall towards the vaginal opening. A herniated small bowel is often involved as the front and back walls of the vagina separate and the intestines can push against the vaginal skin. Many women develop vaginal prolapse, usually following menopause, childbirth or a hysterectomy. The uterus provides support to the pelvic floor and as it is removed, can result in the weakened state of the network of support.

Prolapse of the Bladder - Cystocele

If the front of the vaginal wall collapses, the result is a bladder prolapse. Often it is accompanied by a prolapse of the urethra. A common symptom of bladder or urethra prolapse is urinary stress incontinence which is a leaking of urine involuntarily.

Prolapse of the Rectum - Rectocele

When the back wall of the vagina weakens, it pushes against the vaginal wall, causing a bulge which may be noticeable during bowel movements.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a pelvic organ prolapse, it is important to visit your doctor for a complete assessment.

Treatment will depend on your particular circumstances but may include medications, physical therapy or surgery. Check with your personal physician.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Most women are hesitant to talk to their doctor about a leaking bladder or a bulge in their vagina during bowel movements, and yet these are the exact symptoms that should encourage you to seek a medical opinion.

Suffering with embarassment or delaying a consult with your doctor will only delay your comfort and repair.

Call and make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

Pressure in the vagina or pelvis

Pelvic discomfort

Urinary or bowel dysfunction

A decrease in pain or pressure when lying down

A lump at the opening of the vagina

Recurrent urinary tract infections

Sexual dysfunction

Painful intercourse

Back pain

Urinary Incontinence

Steps to Action

If you are concerned about any symptoms noted above, schedule a doctor appointment right away.

Take a list of symptoms you are experiencing including specific examples of your concerns. (Example: Every time I sneeze, I leak urine and need to change my clothes. Or: Whenever I am having a bowel movement, I feel a lump at the opening of my vagina.)

Your doctor may take images using MRI, ultrasound or cystourethroscopy to diagnose your condition. Other tests such as a bladder function test or a pelvic floor strength test may also be given to you to thoroughly understand your complaints and create a plan of action.

Some pelvic floor conditions may be treated with physical therapy or medications. Other pelvic floor prolapses must be treated with surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is one option that is minimally invasive and can correct the condition in most cases.

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Bladder Matters

There are a host of issues for women surrounding the bladder and a hysterectomy: Spasms. Fistula. Urinary Incontinence. Urinary Tract Infections....and more.

Contents:
Bladder Spasms
Fistula
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Tract Infections

Bladder Spasms

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.

Fistulas

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.

Urinary Incontinence

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.

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!

Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that may affect any part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Bladder and urethra infections are the most common.

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.

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Pelvic Floor Forum for HysterSisters

The HysterSisters community is a great place to get support from other womn who have had a hysterectomy and are experiencing pelvic floor prolapse. Join to participate in in our forums! Click to browse the Pelvic Floor Forum.

Contents:
From Our Pelvic Floor Forum

From Our Pelvic Floor Forums - Join to participate:

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.

Vaginal tightness during sex

Hi guys it has been a long time and I thought I was okay. I had my total hysterectomy 1/4/06 and everything was fine. I am finding that if a couple of days go by without intercourse, it feels like my vaginal walls have stoppers on the side that makes intercourse uncomfortable. Someone told me that it maybe scar tissue. Sometimes it really feels like my husband has to not touch the sides or top or bottom for me to be comfortable even with lubrication. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice? ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Bladder Endo

I'm 6 weeks post-op went to the dr on yesterday. Found out that I may have endo of the bladder. UGHHHHHHH.... My bladder is so unstable, I'm Going to the bathroom every 15 minutes. I've been on every medication. Dr wants me to start on Lupron, but I've did my research and have read lots of horror stories. Anyone using the medication, aleast now I have an answer regarding the last five years of constant bathroom use. ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Bladder test prior to surgery, scared

Hello, I'm so happy to find this wonderful support group. I've been reading and learning. I'm not sure where to post this, but my doc said I needed a test by a urologist to see if I have a kink in my bladder prior to surgery. I'm scared to death of it because it involves catheters and being awake. I didn't read about anyone having to have this. Does anyone know about it? Also, she wants to do a D&C prior to the hysterectomy to determine vaginal or tummy...I'm very confused and scared. Especially about the urology test. I was sexually abused as ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Pudenal Nerve entrapment

Has anyone here have this? I have been dealing with some kind of symptoms that sound like this. I've noticed them more around May and they haven't gone away. They are more annoying and not painful. I thought that possibly my hysterectomy would eliminate this problem. But they were there 2 days after surgery. My ob-gyn has put me on vesicare maybe thinking it would be the miracle drug, but it isn't. Now she is increasing the dosage from 5mg to 10mg. I had a bladder test today that indicated the need to increase the dosage. She is also sending m ..... [Read more of this discussion]

RVF--good news

I have been worried about having a rectovaginal fistula since I started passing gas thru my vagina. I had a virtual colonscopy which showed nothing. In 6 mths, I have only had the gas, no discharge of any kind. I saw my gyn/onc today and he doesn't feel it is a fistula, even though he's not sure what's causing it. That was good news! I guess we all worry so much when something odd happens "down there"! Cindi ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Working out after prolapse repair

It is 4 weeks for me since hysterectomy, cystocele, rectocele and vaginal vault sling repair. I am feeling much better and walking about a half hour every couple of days. Can someone tell me if their doctor has told them they can go back to regular exercise, workouts, lifting, etc. after six weeks. I am worried I will wreck something....I have my post op tomorrow, but would love to hear from anyone on this subject. ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Z-Plasty, the new frontier

I have posted about my ongoing posterior repair gone bad saga.....in the previous episode I had "graduated" from 8 weeks of physical therapy and had been able to use a dilator that was actually bigger than DH, but the movement of intercourse was still causing tearing and bleeding at the same spot....so, I found another surgeon, a "specialist", and he did what is called a Z plasty, he essentially took a pie shaped wedge out of my interoitus (removing all the scar tissue from all the previous vaginal shelf revision surgeries I have had in the pas ..... [Read more of this discussion]

my GYN said he could do the VVF surgery!

I got a call today from my GYN who did my hysterectomy. He is getting all the reports from my URO specialist from Mayo about my upcoming VVF surgery. He feels really bad about me having this problem, but says there is no need to go Mayo Clinic which is 6 hours from us. He has only had 2 other patients that had a fistula problem in his 15 years and he along with a URO did the surgeries. He said he should be able to fix the vesicovaginal fistula in his hospital which is only 1 hour from me. I almost laughed when he suggested it!!!! I said I f ..... [Read more of this discussion]

sluggish bowels? prolapse?

For some reason since my hyster, over a year ago, my bowels have changed. It has become sluggish most of the time. No constipation or diarrhea. It is just very slowing coming down and out. Sluggish. Sometimes I can feel a distinct bulge into the vagina. I have to apply pressure either in the vagina against the rectum wall, or press the perineum to encourage the muscles to work. (The gyn PT recommended that a year ago during bladder PT exercises, when I mentioned I thought I was developing a prolapse.) No other medical help has be forthcoming. ..... [Read more of this discussion]

rigid cystoscopy, no lidocaine

Update on me. I just got back from the Uro teleconference. It was kinda weird just seeing the Dr on TV and talking to him in an empty office. Anyway, what he decided to do is a rigid cystoscopy, no lidocaine (because I'm allergic to topical caine drugs). He will do this on Dec. 23 (great Christmas present ehh?). Unfortunately, I will have to work that night and Christmas Eve night as well, but I was not going to refuse an appointment that can solve an issue. Also managed to book an appointment with the Gyn on Jan 21 (they're fitting me in b ..... [Read more of this discussion]

Browse the entire Pelvic Floor Forum - [Click Here]

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Resources

Read on for articles and links to help you gather more information about pelvic floor prolapse.

Contents:
Resource Links
Articles

Resources

Pelvic Floor Discussions

Prolapse Resources Links

Bladder Resources Links

Pelvic Floor Articles

Articles

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Hints from the HysterSisters

The HysterSisters members are the best at providing support and encouragement for your health challenges. Read on for some great tips for Pelvic Floor health.

Contents:
Fitness and Pelvic Floor
Products We Recommend

Fitness and Pelvic Floor

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.

Products We Recommend

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Page Created at 10-30-2009 - 01:49 AM, Last Modified 11-05-2009 - 06:45 PM

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