A fallen bladder – An overview of the causes and treatments
A fallen bladder is also known as a bladder prolapse. It is a condition that affects women. There are millions of cases of fallen bladder registered in the world. It requires adequate diagnosis and treatment. This is a condition that lasts for about a year. It is mostly observed in those above the age of 40.

What is a fallen bladder?

• In normal conditions, the bladder is in place in a woman through the support of the pelvic tissues and floor muscles. When these muscles and tissues get stretched out, the bladder may drop and bulge through the layer, even into the vagina. This results in bladder prolapse or fallen bladder or cystocele.
• In severe cases, the fallen bladder is even visible at the vagina opening.
• It is a serious condition but can be treated and completely cured.

What are the causes of a fallen bladder?
Here’s a list of the most common factors that can lead to a prolapsed bladder:

• Childbirth : This is one of the most common reasons for a fallen bladder. The process of delivery can be strenuous on the muscles and tissues of the vagina, which support the bladder.
• Menopause : Estrogen is a vital hormone that is required to keep the vagina healthy and strong. In the absence of it, a woman is more prone to a prolapsed bladder.
• Strain : Carrying heavy objects, strain when there is bowel movement, or constipation over a long period of time can damage the pelvic floor muscles.

How can one distinguish the symptoms of a fallen bladder?
Not all women experience the same symptoms. It varies with the cause and the stage of the condition. Some may not even notice and may ignore the initial symptoms.

• The most common symptom of a fallen bladder that is noticed is the presence of an extra tissue in the vagina, as observed by many women. Apart from this symptom, there are many signs of a person having a fallen bladder.
• A sign of tissue protruding from the vagina, which bleeds and is tender
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region
• Trouble while urinating
• Never feeling like the bladder is empty, even after urinating
• Leakage of urine while coughing or sneezing
• Pain in the lower back
• Pain during intercourse
• An increase in the frequency of bladder infections

How is a fallen bladder diagnosed?

• If you experience any signs, you need to consult a doctor and seek fallen bladder – treatment.
• It can also be associated with the prolapse of other organs in a woman’s body.
• Immediate medical attention is required as the complications can worsen over a period of time.
• This condition is not one that can heal itself and so, treatment is mandatory for a full recovery.

What are the tests done to determine whether one has a prolapsed bladder?

• A basic pelvic examination is done to diagnose the condition.
• In some cases, a cystourethrogram is used to diagnose the condition. A doctor with experience performs this test.
• X rays of the abdomen also help determine the condition, aiding in choosing the best fallen bladder – treatment.
• Other tests include urodynamic and cystoscopy.

What are the best fallen bladder – treatment options?

• There are several ways of fallen bladder – treatment.
• The extreme cases require surgery, while others can be treated through conservative management.

What is conservation management?
Here are the steps that are involved in conservative management:

• There is no fallen bladder – treatment that is given. In some cases, the symptoms barely show up or do not cause any hindrance to the patient.
• There are behavioral exercises that can help with fallen bladder – treatment. It involves activities such as the use of a pessary, pelvic floor therapy, and Kegel exercises.
• In some cases, the doctor might even suggest a drug therapy where estrogen replacement is done.

How does a surgery help?

• The aim of the surgery as a fallen bladder – treatment is to improve the fallen bladder symptoms.
• There are several types of surgery that can be performed, including laparoscopic, open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or a robot-assisted one.
• The surgery aims at repairing the tissue and augmentation using a biological graft or a polypropylene mesh.
• It is best to consult your doctor regarding all the benefits and risks that come with the surgery.

If this condition is left untreated, it can get worse over time and lead to damage or an infection in the kidney.