Female Urology

Bladder prolapse is a female urology condition where the muscles that support your bladder become weak and allow your bladder and other pelvic organs to drop down into the vagina.

Women are at risk of experiencing complications of bladder prolapse as they get older or following pregnancy due to the stretching of supportive muscles. You may also be at risk for bladder prolapse due to:

• Obesity
• Hormone changes
• Birthing a large baby
  

A family history of prolapse can also increase your risk of developing bladder prolapse at some point in your life.

One of the most common symptoms of bladder prolapse is frequent urinary incontinence, or episodes of unexpected urine leaks, especially when you cough, laugh, or sneeze.

Other common signs that you may have bladder prolapse include:

• Pelvic pain
• Painful sex
• Changes in bowel movements
  

You may also notice a bulge in the vaginal canal or experience sensations that something is coming out of your vagina.

Treating bladder prolapse depends on the severity of your condition and your symptoms. If you have urinary incontinence issues before your bladder falls, you may benefit from pelvic floor exercises that strengthen the supportive muscles surrounding the bladder.

If your bladder has already dropped into your vaginal canal, Gulf Coast Urology may recommend surgery. The physicians offer sling surgery, which involves the creation of a supportive sling from tissue taken from other areas of your body or out of mesh fabric.

Your provider places the sling under the urethra, the tube that passes urine out of the body. The sling lifts and supports the neck of the bladder that connects to the urethra to reduce the frequency and severity of urine leaks.

Additionally, other female urology surgical techniques for bladder prolapse are available to repair the supportive muscles of the bladder. by rebuilding the surrounding tissue or by narrowing the vaginal canal to better support the bladder. However, changing the size of the vaginal canal won’t allow you to have intercourse.

If you have symptoms of bladder prolapse or other female urology concerns, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Gulf Coast Urology today by calling the office nearest you or by requesting an appointment online now.