Cystocele (Prolapsed Urinary Bladder)

It is prolapse of the urinary bladder from the upper part of the vaginal area so as to cause a bulge.

What is Cystocele (Prolapsed Urinary Bladder)?

It is prolapse of the urinary bladder into the vagina as a result of the weakened pelvic floor muscles and fascias.

What are the risk factors for cystocele?

• Too many pregnancies
• Having normal delivery
• Giving birth to an overweight baby
• Having carried heavy loads for too long
• Suffering from diseases like chronic cough, asthma
• Complaint of constipation for long years
• Being overweight or obese
• Menopause

About What do Patients suffering from Cystocele complain?

• Feeling the structures prolapsing from the vagina
• Prolapse of a palpable bulge from the vagina especially while straining in the toilet
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying after urination
• Waist and inguinal pains getting worse when standing
• Pain and lack of pleasure during sexual intercourse
• Urinary incontinence, frequent urination, difficulty in urination, nocturnal urination
• Urine leakage while laughing, standing, etc. with increasing severity of the prolapse

How is cystocele noticed?

Cystocele can be diagnosed easily with gynecological examination. You can be examined on foot or in the supine position. Your doctor searches for a protruding tissue that indicates pelvic organ prolapse in your vagina. The strength of your pelvic floor muscles is checked. The doctor also tries to understand the degree of your cystocele through the maneuvers like straining, coughing, etc. The degree of cystocele is important and can change the treatment process. Depending on this degree, bladder and urine tests may be required. The treatment can vary from simple and easy exercises for strengthening of the pelvic muscles to surgery.

How is the cystocele operation done?

It can be done vaginally under general or spinal (waist-down) anesthesia. The tissues in the vagina are separated from the urinary bladder and the prolapsing parts are repaired. This operation takes a brief time like 20 minutes on average. It is sufficient to stay in the hospital for 1 night after the surgery. You must not be on menstruation during this operation. Surgery during menstruation increases the infection risk. Therefore, it is preferred to do this operation after the menstruation.

What are the points to care after the operation?

• After the operation, the stitches will melt on its own within 10 days approximately. Therefore, there is no need to remove the sutures here later.
• After each time of using the toilet, the cleaning must absolutely be made from front to back.
• It is forbidden to go to Turkish bath, swimming pool, or have a bath in the bathtub after the operation. The ideal one is to take a shower on foot.
• Bathing must be avoided for a few days after the operation.