Cystocele
Alternate Names : Dropped Bladder, Fallen Bladder
What are the treatments for the disease?
Treatment of a cystocele is aimed at reducing symptoms. These measures may help:
avoiding straining during bowel movements or heavy lifting
doing Kegel exercises to
strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder and vagina
using a pessary, which is a device fitted into the vagina to hold the
bladder in place
taking hormone replacement therapy, or
HRT,
for postmenopausal women, which
may
help to strengthen the muscles around the vagina and bladder
surgery for severe or persistent symptoms, or
for a progressive
cystocele. The goal of the surgery is to move the bladder back into its normal
position and hold it there.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects that can occur with hormone replacement therapy include vaginal
bleeding, breast tenderness, weight gain, abdominal bloating, and headaches. Surgery carries a risk of
bleeding, infection, and allergic
reactions to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Treatment outcomes vary with the methods used to manage the cystocele. For
example, the treatment of mild symptoms might include long-term activity
restrictions, such as the avoidance of straining and heavy lifting. A pessary
must be removed regularly to avoid infection or irritation of the lining of the
vagina. Recovery from surgery may take a few days to several weeks, depending
on the procedure used.
How is the disease monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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