A cystocele or fallen bladder develops when the bladder sinks from its normal position into the vagina, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can occur after straining of the muscles in the pelvic area during conditions such as childbirth or chronic constipation. Women who have undergone menopause might also develop a cystocele because estrogen keeps the muscles and tissues in the area strong. Once the level of estrogen drops in menopause, the bladder might drop. The repositioning of the bladder can cause several complications.
Discomfort
Women with a cystocele can experience pelvic discomfort or pain, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These patients can also feel a bulge in the vagina or might even feel the bladder protruding out of the vagina.
Urine Leakage
A cystocele can also cause the complication of urinary incontinence, according to the Mayo Clinic. A fallen bladder stretches the opening of the urethra where the urine comes out, which can cause the leakage. The patient can have urine leakage during activities such as coughing or laughing. That is called stress incontinence. Leakage can also occur during sexual intercourse.
Incomplete Emptying of the Bladder
Some patients with a fallen bladder can have the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. The cystocele could cause a kink in the urethra, which can make it difficult to empty the bladder, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Unirnary Tract Infections
The inability to fully empty the bladder might increase the number of urinary tract infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. The collected urine inside the bladder is a fertile ground for bacteria to grow-- if a urinary tract infection is not treated, it can become a more significant problem and lead to a kidney infection.
