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Harper1234's avatar

Is a prolapsed bladder common in older women?

Asked by Harper1234 (857points) November 20th, 2018

Why is a prolapsed bladder never discussed when I have a feeling it is pretty common. How do you get it…what can be done…can you still have sex? Even when menopause is spoken about a prolapsed bladder isn’t. Do they have anything in common with each other?

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7 Answers

KNOWITALL's avatar

Fairly common with my moms peers. All post childbirth of course.

augustlan's avatar

Slight prolapse is pretty common (dribble a bit when you sneeze or laugh too hard) in post-childbirth years, especially if you have multiple vaginal births. I don’t know if it’s common in older women who haven’t had children, though.

You can still have sex, if it isn’t painful for you. My doctor assured me that nothing would pull my bladder out…it would be pushed out from the inside.

There are a couple of things that might help: Pelvic floor physical therapy (not to be confused with kegels), a pessary, and surgery (using stitches, mesh or your own internal tissues to hold it up).

I had a surgical repair done w/ stitches at the time of my hysterectomy, but I have a connective tissue disorder and the stitches ripped out nearly immediately. Now I have severe prolapse, ugh. Back to the drawing board, for me!

LadyMarissa's avatar

It seems to be fairly common among my friends & I often heard my Mom’s friends discuss it. As for the lack of hearing about it, NO woman wants to discuss the fact that she is having problems holding her urine with people she doesn’t feel close to!!! So, I think you don’t hear a lot about it due to the embarrassing nature of the conversation. I can remember when menopause wasn’t discussed in public because it was considered too embarrassing to discuss. Once the subject was brought to the forefront, it is no longer considered taboo & women discuss it openly. The same will become true on the subject of a prolapsed bladder over time!!!

Dutchess_III's avatar

The only thing they have in common is a weakening of muscles, and that’s an overall effect of getting older and not staying in shape.
People can start to lose control of their sphincter muscles too, but they certainly aren’t going to discuss it as freely as they would simple menopause.

janbb's avatar

I only have one friend who had it. Not a given.

LadyMarissa's avatar

Although staying in shape should help, it doesn’t always stop it. My cousin is a health nut who exercises every day & she’s younger than me by several years & she’s already been having problems with it for a good number of years. I’m allergic to the word exercise & I’ve been blessed to NOT have to deal with it!!!

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