A prolapsed bladder, also called a cystocele, describes a condition in which the bladder bulges into the vagina. This occurs when the pelvic floor muscles, a layer of muscle that separates the pelvic region from the perineal region, become weak. The pelvic floor muscles provide support for the bladder, uterus and intestines. A variety of factors can contribute to weakening these muscles therefore causing a prolapsed bladder.
Childbirth
The abdominal region contains many of the body's vital organs. These organs reside close to each other, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. During pregnancy, the uterus, which houses the fetus, stretches and grows to accommodate the growing baby. When this occurs, the other organs in the abdominal region become crowded together and exert pressure on the pelvic floor muscles.
During childbirth, especially a vaginal delivery, the added pressure of pushing to move the baby through the birth canal can cause the pelvic floor muscles to stretch. If these muscles stretch beyond the normal range, permanent damage can occur. The University of California San Francisco Medical Center reports childbirth and aging as the most common causes of prolapsed bladder.
Menopause
As a woman ages, the risk of developing a prolapsed bladder increases. The occurrence of menopause--the period in a woman's life when her body stops releasing eggs--plays a large role in the health of the pelvic region.
Menopausal women produce lower amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The presence of estrogen helps keep the lining of the bladder and the urethra healthy. Estrogen also stimulates blood flow to the pelvic region, thereby strengthening the muscles of the vaginal wall and the pelvic floor muscles, as described by Epigee.org. A decrease in estrogen causes these muscles to weaken, contributing to a prolapsed bladder.
Extra Body Weight
Women who carry extra body weight, especially in the abdominal region, increase their risk of developing a prolapsed bladder. Added body weight adds pressure to the organs in the abdominal region and the pelvic floor muscles. Over time this added pressure weakens the pelvic floor muscles and can cause a prolapsed bladder.
Chronic Bronchitis
The pelvic floor muscles can become strained while performing strenuous exercise, lifting heavy objects or even when coughing or sneezing. Medical conditions that cause chronic coughing, such as chronic bronchitis, can lead to a prolapsed bladder.
Chronic bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways that lasts for longer than three months, causes a persistent cough, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Bronchitis causes a buildup of thick mucus in the airways. The body tries to remove the mucus through coughing, which can strain the muscles in the abdominal region, including the pelvic floor muscles.
