ABOUT THE DISEASE
A cystocele is a bulging, drooping or rupture of bladder tissue into the vagina. This bulging or rupture occurs on the top front wall of the vagina and may cause discomfort / urine leakage and problems with emptying the bladder.
SYMPTOMS
- • Uncontrolled loss of urine i.e incontinence, with cough, sneeze, or exercise.
- • Pelvic pressure.
- • Frequency or urgency to urinate because of inability to completely empty the bladder.
- • Bladder infections.
CAUSES
A cystocele may result from:
- Multiple childbirth.
- Repeated straining — such as heavy lifting, chronic cough or during bowel movements.
- Menopause - The hormone estrogen helps keep the muscles around the vagina strong, which may weaken in menopausal women.
- Being Overweight
DIAGNOSIS
- Medical history
- Physical examination of the vagina
- Voiding cystourethrogram
TREATMENT METHODS
Depending upon the severity of the symptoms, the treatment options can be:
- In mild cases, kegel exercises and estrogen, as in the case of menopausal women is advised.
- If symptoms are moderately bothersome, a pessary is placed in the vagina to hold the bladder in place. Pessaries must be removed regularly to avoid infection or ulcers.
- Large cystoceles may require surgery - Anterior Colporrhaphy (Cystocele repair), where an incision is given in the wall of the vagina and the area is repaired to tighten the layers of tissue that separate the organs, creating more support for the bladder.
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