Definition:

It is the decent of the bladder into the vagina.
When the front wall of the vagina supporting the bladder gets weak, bladder prolapse can happen.

Causes:
– Pregnancy vaginal childbirth.
– Menopause ( when estrogen level starts to drop).
– Straining: lifting heavy things, straining during bowel movement, chronic constipation, chronic coughing.
– Previous pelvic injury.
– Advanced age.
– Obesity.

Symptoms:
– Pelvic heaviness or fullness.
– Feeling something is coming out of the vagina.
– Feeling of incomplete urination.
– Lower back pain.
– Pain in the pelvis.
– stress incontinence.
– Difficulty in urinating.
– Frequent bladder infections.

Levels of bladder prolapse:
– Mild: when small part of bladder droops into vagina.
– Moderate: the bladder reaches the opening of the vagina.
– Severe: the bladder sticks out from the opening of the vagina.

Treatment:
In mild prolapse:
– Kegel exercise 
– no need for surgical or medical treatment, only avoid lifting heavy things or straining.

For serious prolapse, doctor will take in consideration age and general health condition. Treatment options can include :

– Pessary: Ring device is placed to keep bladder in place and preventing it from sagging if the patient refuse or unfit for surgery.

– Estrogen replacement therapy: it helps in strengthening muscles in the vagina in case of post menopausal women.

– Surgery: to return the bladder to its position by a surgery through vagina with removing extra tissues and tightening the pelvic muscles.

Prevention:
Bladder prolapse can be prevented by:
– Avoiding lifting heavy things.
– Avoiding gaining extra weight.
– Healthy diet with fibers and drinking enough water to avoid constipation.
– Avoid straining during bowel movement.
– Doing Kegel exercise and pelvic floor muscles exercise.