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.