Cystocele Puns

Hello! I know it's quite common for us zebras to get pelvic organ prolapses and was hoping for some advice. I think I've got the start of a cystocele, (when upright or bent over I can feel a raspberry like lump that's really squishy and make me need to wee when pressed just before the lady cavern and I'm in agony with it) but my GP couldn't feel it (examined lay flat on my back) . Has anyone with a cystocele had similar experiences with this? Also coping strategies for the pain would be awesome!

Really just looking for some hope and support. I am only 2 weeks postpartum, but I am pretty sure I have a cystocele. I had a virtual appointment with my midwife who told me to try not to panic, and that things could continue to improve as I am very new postpartum.

I am having symptoms such as urinary frequency, constantly feeling like I need to void (unless I am sitting/laying down - I have no urgency then). I also feel like something is falling out of my vagina - almost like a tampon that is sliding out and I can feel a bulge. My midwife said that’s not super uncommon this early postpartum but I’m still in a panic.

I had to quit working out around 34 weeks pregnant, and I miss it so so much. I do high intensity and running, which I can’t imagine will be possible with these symptoms. I worry my sec life will be ruined and I will never feel like myself again. I know this sounds dramatic, but it’s really how I am feeling right now. My midwife said she will do an exam at 6 weeks pp and that there isn’t much that can be done at this point. I also spoke with a pelvic floor PT who said the same thing. So my plan is to go to PT at 6 weeks.

I’m just wondering, if I truly have a bladder prolapse, will my life get better? Do pessaries actually work? Is my sex life doomed? Will I ever be able to workout again?

I’m 37F and almost 3 years pp from my second child, 8 years pp from my first. They were both big babies and I had extensive tearing and suffered obstetric violence with my second. After having trouble passing bowel movements I was diagnosed with minor rectocele and cystocele and surgery booked in to repair it. The OB/GYN who will do the surgery said it’s too far advanced for PT. The doctor I saw for a second opinion said the same, but also felt I was a little young for surgery. He said he would discourage it until my 40s/50s in case I decide to have another child (I won’t).

I’ve only really seen surgery horror stories/discouragement from what I’ve been reading, so I wanted to ask this. Has it been successful for anyone? I keep reading that it needs to be redone after a few years, is this true? I barely have any symptoms so I have to admit that I’m quite nervous about doing this unnecessarily. But the surgeon is super optimistic and says best to get it fixed now, because I may not have many symptoms at the moment but I certainly will after a few years. Any advice gratefully received!

This week I was diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder (mild). I generally run 4-5 days a week (20-25 kms). I am hesitant to run since being diagnosed, as I am fearful of making my condition worse. I am wondering if anyone has been through a similar experience and continued with running? If so, did it worsen your condition? And can you offer any advice for running with a prolapse?

Running has been wonderful for both my mental and physical health, and I am simply devastated at the thoughts of having to stop. :(

I am going to be very candid over my POP issues so if you don’t want to read about a females health issues related to pregnancy please scroll past.

I am 36 years old with a BMI of 25.4, I workout doing HITT and love it. I’ve had 2 vaginal births where my first child was 5lbs 5oz and the doctor preformed an episiotomy due to baby going into distress, second child was quite a bit larger at 8lbs 3oz and I had a second degree tear. After the birth of my second I was experiencing stress incontinence and just a kinda overall loose jiggly feeling in my lower abdomen. I thought I need to just tighten up my core once again and that is when I started going HITT, I noticed a lose in inches but not weight which I am happy with but I couldn’t get my core to function correctly.

I had an umbilical hernia so had surgery to fix it hoping that was the culprit and was scheduled to start pelvic floor therapy. Due to my incontinence I had an evaluation done where it was determined I would need vaginoplasty based off of severe elasticity of the vaginal canal (4 finger width opening), I had this determination confirmation by a second doctor back in October. Fast forward to January where I started to have a fullness feeling in my vagina and was diagnosed with stage 2 bladder prolapse with stage 1 rectal prolapse, I am absolutely devastated because my vaginoplasty was scheduled for the 25th of this month and I was thinking my problems would be resolved!

Now I am waiting on a different surgeon to tell me what the options are for correcting everything, I really don’t want mesh since I am so young and know that it won’t last. My regular OBGYN advised against any action but that means that I would have to live with peeing myself after any cough or sneeze, oh and don’t even get me started on having a healthy sex life. I did request she put in an updated prescription for PFT since the prolapse is a new development, waiting on them to contact me.

I want these things fixed but it is difficult finding any information or health forums, why oh why are women shafted on all medical needs related to pregnancy/delivery?! It should be mandatory treatment for pelvic floor therapy for all women pre/postpartum, guess that’s another discussion entirely. I will update my journey in this thread so that it might help another woman down the road.

This past Monday I had a slew of surgeries that required a Urologist and a Cosmetic Gynecologist, if you have any questions I would be more than happy to answer.

List of surgeries

1. Cystocele repair with Fascia Bladder Sling (I am 36 so opted for a more natural approach, since mesh can not be absorbed I worried about it degrading prior to the end of my lifespan)
2. Vaginoplasty due to severe laxity (2 vaginal births that required an episiotomy for my first, I also had an emergency D&C due to retained placenta. With my second child I had a second degree tear)
3. Labiaplasty with clitoral hood reduction because why not have it look pretty as well as function properly
4. Skin tag removal from pregnancy hemorrhoids
5. O shot, not going to know much over this one until I fully heal in 6-8 weeks but I know it comes highly recommended

I did go home with a catheter because my surgeon said she didn’t want any stress, I am doing bladder training exercises. I am hoping to it taken out tomorrow. I am also taking a lot of medication and 2 different creams. After I heal I will start vaginal stretches with estrogen cream, kinda not looking forward to this one.

I will start diVa laser treatments with the O-shot once a year to help maintain the structural integrity that was reconstructed as both of these treatments help stimulate collagen and stem cell growth.

I know what most of you are wondering, how much all this cost

Starting to worry about the future. My complaints have evolved from annoying severe constipation to barely being able to have bowel movements and pass gas. Need to have my uterus removed sooner rather than later. The pain to my hips and surrounding areas is making daily life miserable. Saw family doctor, I don’t think they understand and laxatives aren’t helping anymore. If I clean myself out with miralax will I be able to have bowel movements again? Or am I going to have to have loose stools only until surgery can be done?

Hi everyone! I'm in my early 30's, I've had 3 vaginal deliveries of large babies. I was diagnosed with a stage 1 cystocele ( bladder prolapse ) it seems to be more of a stage 2 at times. I've done pelvic floor physiotherapy which helped alot. But it's super hard to stay on top of sometimes. I have a tens unit type kegal trainer. My weights and cones just don't work for me. Sooo now for the TMI part. I orgasm really easily, and endlessly. I tend to have really big ones and I'm worried that when I do orgasm hard, that I might make the cystocele worse from contractions and uncontrollable pushing outward ( if that makes sense? ) I know that sex in general won't make it worse, but I can't help but get stuck in my head about it which can really dampen my mood with my husband.

Something is definitely off with my pelvic-area. I have been having urinary incontinence for a while, but it seems to be getting worse.

Yesterday when I felt in my vagina in the shower, there was something THERE in the way. It wasn’t my cervix. I have a feeling of fullness in my pelvis along with pressure and discomfort.

I saw my primary today for a checkup, but since I was there with symptoms she did a pelvic exam. She noted that my vagina looked red and irritated and that I had discharge that looked a little thick and “cottage cheesy.” Well my vaginitis panel came back negative, but I’m definitely having this weird white discharge that almost looks like a facial tissue that went through the wash.

I see my OBGYN on Tuesday (he’s amazing), and I see a urogynecologist on 2/22. I understand that cystocele and other types of prolapse are common in EDS. I have a hEDS diagnosis. It’s also important to note I was just diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome and I’m not sure if that’s a factor in anything. I take hormonal birth control continuously and I no longer have a menstrual cycle (I skip the placebo week of pills). I am about to turn 35 and I’ve never had any children.

Does anything this sound like a prolapse? Does it seem concerning? Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom!

My life is going to drastically change when I wake up tomorrow morning. I’m hopeful that this will be the cure I’ve been working towards. I’m so anxious but I know it’ll be worth it.

Throwaway because this is seriously awkward

Female 39 UK 140lbs 5'8 History of 2 live full term births delivered vaginally. 1st aided by episiotomy and ventouse due to baby being stuck in the birth canal 2nd sustained a 2nd degree tear only but was a rapid (2hour) delivery from waters breaking to baby arriving. Developed recto cystocele after the first birth and have had several years of physiotherapy to try and help with no success.

I discovered a lump on my labia which I was getting a look at in the mirror when I saw the road crash that is my vagina. The prolapses are clearly visible from the entrance and when I move my labia apart in the upper left side of the cystocele is what I can only describe as a tunnel/hole that I do not have on the other side of it. It is uncomfortable to touch so Im assuming it's abnormal.

Is it abnormal? What is it likely to be? What treatment options are available to me for the whole disaster that is my vagina?

I've been dealing with stomach pain and constipation for 5 years. I only recently got diagnosed (even though I've been to dozens of specialists) with pelvic floor prolapse. I've never had any sexual side effects or pain. I'm 31, very fit and never been pregnant.

My surgeon says I should have no sexual dysfunction or side effects after the surgery. The cystocele and enterocele repairs will be preformed through an incision in my belly, and the rectocele repair will be done through the anterior wall of my vagina.

I've read a lot about women who have this and then have loss of sensation or change in orgasms, it doesn't say if they were having sexual pain before the surgery. The rectocele will make my vaginal opening smaller, which I'm hoping doesn't hurt me or my partner.

The thing I have found absolutely no information about, is if I'll ever be able to have anal sex again. I really enjoy anal and it is an occasional treat for both of us. My surgeon seems pretty sex positive, but not to the point where I feel like I can ask if I'll ever be able to get my butt fucked again :(

Any thoughts or experiences or help would be much appreciated. I'm pretty scared.

Thank you for any help!

21•Female•NH•Scoliosis•OCD•Daily Luvox and oral contraceptives

Today I had to lift a 100 lb box of dog food. I did my best to lift with my legs but definitely did more with my back/abs than I should have. I’m not in any pain, but am having some urinary issues. Since the lifting I went pee and felt like the stream was very weak, almost a dribble. And I had to push hard to get it out. Could I have a prolapsed bladder from the lifting? I’m in good shape, and while 100lbs it quite a bit 50lbs would be a breeze for me to lift.

New account, first time poster; please bear with me!

I have a fairly typical story - had 2 kids (both on the heavier side!) and ended up with a bladder sagging into my vagina, and of course urinary incontinence.

I have been waiting to get this repair done ever since my first child was born, and the time is almost here! I am most certainly set on having the surgery, but of course it's still a nerve wracking experience and I would appreciate hearing other women's stories about this topic!

My main questions are - what was the healing like, and for how long? Did you do PT afterwards? Were the results what you expected post-op? How long ago was your surgery and are the results still holding up? Do you regret it or would you recommend this surgery to other women? Did it improve your quality of life?

I would appreciate any comments! Thank you so much.

I start pelvic floor PT soon for a grade 2 cystocele/bladder prolapse, but my doc did mention that it may not be enough and down the line we'd probably have to have a conversation about a pessary or surgical intervention. I got diagnosed after I had already had my daughter and the pregnancy put a lot of stress on my pelvic floor, roughly equivalent to 4-5 healthy pregnancies (in my OBGYN's words, "I don't want to say you have an old lady vagina at 22, but..."😂)

The pessary looks... fucking uncomfortable. And at my age it's really embarrassing to think about, my OBGYN even said most younger people don't want to do the pessary because of how strongly associated it is with old people, lol. But I'm open to trying it if I can get fitted for one that sits right.

The surgery concept is scary. I guess there's a lot of controversy in the medical community regarding the use of mesh in surgery and it's potential implications, but as my OBGYN explained it, the other way that pelvic floor reconstruction is done is using the existing tissue, and mine being trash, the mesh would be the route we'd take. Who knows, maybe the surgery isn't necessary for a few years and there's another method, but... bionic vagina would be the hypothetical route as of now.

Anyone have experience with pelvic floor PT/pessary/surgery for cystocele? It sucks having to wait and see how I respond to PT to figure out the path we're gonna take, kind of like everything else with this illness 🙃

So, I've spent the better part of my free time today trying to look and feel and see if I can make odds or ends of literally anything down there. I can't, and I don't know if it's because I'm severely dissociated from my body, was raised in a repressive culture, have former trauma, or genuinely have some kind of defect.

I used a mirror, light, fingers, all of that. I have normal periods. I've never been to an ob/gyn (I'm 21). I don't know if my hymen is broken or not, or when it was broken (if it is), but I can insert a finger inside my vagina.

One thing I did notice was feeling of a hard bulge on my vaginal wall facing my bladder, but I'm not sure if that could be something else. I've had a history of urinary retention but I've always assumed that was due to my anxiety and a tendency to tense up literally every muscle in my body without even realizing it. I don't have any of the surefire symptoms of cystocele (any protrusion or feelings of pressure) but I'm still paranoid. I don't even know if it's common for people my age to (have/get?) this condition.

For multiple reasons I'm not able to see an ob/gyn right now but I'd like any input from women who have experienced anything similar to this, or who have actually been diagnosed with a cystocele. This is kind of worrying me.

I think my girlfriend may have one. She’s had one child.

When I finger her I can feel a large round “ball” on the upper part of her vagina. It’s not protruding or overly noticeable but she does pee here and there if she laughs or sneezes.

I asked her about it and she said the doctor never mentioned it but she wishes it wasn’t there because my penis rubs against it during sex

Would Kegels help with this? And she’s also pregnant now, so would kegels prevent it from getting worse this time?

An NBME question described a cystocele as "valsalva maneuver causes bulge of anterior vaginal wall" and this got me confused, as I thought it would be compression of vaginal wall, so I picked rectocele as that could cause vaginal wall to bulge, but that was wrong. What am I not picturing properly?

Hi, I'm 32 year old, female, 11 stone 6lb. I was diagnosed with a Rectocele in 2012 and it has progressively gotten worae over the years. I have had physical therapy etc to no avail. I was only offered the mesh implant as a repair. However, recently I have been having issues with my bladder and I'm wondering if your chances getting a cystocele in increase if you already have a rectocele? What options do I have for repair? Is the mesh as bad as I have read? Will getting the mesh be a lesser of two evils? I am currently waiting to see my specialist but it's 4-6 weeks away so I would Ike to go in prepared for the appointment knowing all of my options. Thank you in advance!

Not sure how to tell which is which based on presentation. Looking for explanation.

Last night I started getting those awesome feelings of a UTI. I sometimes feel that way right before my period, so I didn't look too much into it. Today it's full blown symptoms. I should also note that when I was 16 (32 now) I had 1-2 UTIs almost monthly...nothing seemed to change it, doctors couldn't figure out why. There where some changes I made and either by coincidence or I figured it out they became much less frequent. I'd still get one every few months, but that was at least tolerable.

My husband and I have had 4 children in the past 7 years. And the smallest was 8# the biggest was 11#...all vaginal births. I had several repairs that needed to be done for my pelvic organs taking that beating. That surgery was 6 weeks ago and I'm on my second UTI. I don't know if my first one just never cleared up all the way, or if I'm now doomed to that life again because of the surgery. I'm honestly terrified because I have bad urgency and pain when I have UTIs.

To add insult to injury, I won't have insurance until probably January1 (medicaid ended because husband's new job--but can't get insurance there until 90 days)...so my options are not good right now.

Support, information and suggestions are welcome.

As u can read my first post, I try to learn more about my own body. This time I realize that my private part looks slighty different than others. I see mostly women have no barriers or something covered up on their opening vagina, even for a virgin (u can see through the vagina hole directly). But comparing with myself I see that my opening vagina has a kind of buldge towards it. I search on internet that it's probably the bladder wall which is called cystocele (prolapsed bladder). Even it doesn't look severe or make me feel uncomfort but theoretically I imagine will it make me discomfort or painful if I want to have penetration someday ? Or what else the side effects that could possibly happen when I try to have sex ? Considering the position of the bladder wall on the front side which definetely will get hit first if I get penetrated, will my bladder become ruptured ? How about the squirt issue, I mean is it possibly can make me squirt easily ? (note: I'm afraid of squirting coz it looks gross). I know, u guys might think I'm very insecure with myself or think too much, but if this is a kind of abnormalities, at least I want to know the explanation of what and how can I minimize the side effects. Once again, thanks for everyone who give the comments.

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but the amount of non-dad jokes here in this subreddit really annoys me. First of all, dad jokes CAN be NSFW, it clearly says so in the sub rules. Secondly, it doesn't automatically make it a dad joke if it's from a conversation between you and your child. Most importantly, the jokes that your CHILDREN tell YOU are not dad jokes. The point of a dad joke is that it's so cheesy only a dad who's trying to be funny would make such a joke. That's it. They are stupid plays on words, lame puns and so on. There has to be a clever pun or wordplay for it to be considered a dad joke.

Again, to all the fellow dads, I apologise if I'm sounding too harsh. But I just needed to get it off my chest.

Wow, this birth story got long! The TLDR version is that I had twin girls just over a week ago, and we’ve been home since the day after delivery. The delivery itself had two parts - a very easy vaginal birth with two healthy babies, and then a second part with severe postpartum hemorrhage. Thankfully, I came through healthy and overall think of the delivery experience as positive. All is well and we're happily finding our groove with the two newest family members.

BACKGROUND ON TWO PRIOR VAGINAL INDUCTIONS AND THE PLAN FOR THIS PREGNANCY

I've had two prior IVF pregnancies with successful vaginal inductions. I was hoping to have a vaginal delivery this time, too. My first delivery was an induction at 41wk. My son arrived two days later at 11 lbs. I pushed for only an hour and had a second degree tear that felt fine the next day. Still, he had a temporary arm palsy from traction on the nerves next to his neck (brachial plexus). Thankfully the arm palsy resolved within a da, but it could have been permanent, and those hours before resolution were scary. In my next pregnancy, my daughter was induced at 39w to avoid the potential for her being so large. I pushed for four minutes and she was born at 8 lbs 4 oz,. Again I felt normal after, except that I leaked urine pretty constantly for a few weeks, even while not sneezing/coughing/straining. The leaking resolved eventually, except while jogging, but I could get by then with a pad. All of this made me a bit nervous for a vaginal delivery with twins, but my urogynecologist said that vaginal vs c-section would make no difference for my pelvic floor now, I’ll likely need surgery some day regardless. So in this pregnancy, I was hoping for another vaginal delivery for the pain-free recovery. I was thrilled when both twins went head down.

I wanted to induce at 39w, but with twins, the risk of stillbirth starts increasing earlier. All of the MFMs who I consulted recommended going no further than 38+6. One MFM even advised me to induce in week 37 due to my AMA (41 years), gestational diabetes (well controlled with a continuous glucose monitor), IVF status, and the fact that one twin was smaller than the other - consistently 14th-18th percentile on her growth scans starting at 28w, compared to the other baby at 77-78th. Having a smaller baby did seem odd given the size of her twin and my first two deliveries, but the peanut passed all of her NSTs and kept her growth curve, so other MFMs felt comfortable with induc

This week I was diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder (mild). I generally run 4-5 days a week (20-25 kms). I am hesitant to run since being diagnosed, as I am fearful of making my condition worse. I am wondering if anyone has been through a similar experience and continued with running? If so, did it worsen your condition? And can you offer any advice for running with a prolapse?

Running has been wonderful for both my mental and physical health, and I am simply devastated at the thoughts of having to stop. :(

Hi everyone! I'm in my early 30's, I've had 3 vaginal deliveries of large babies. I was diagnosed with a stage 1 cystocele ( bladder prolapse ) it seems to be more of a stage 2 at times. I've done pelvic floor physiotherapy which helped alot. But it's super hard to stay on top of sometimes. I have a tens unit type kegal trainer. My weights and cones just don't work for me. Sooo now for the TMI part. I orgasm really easily, and endlessly. I tend to have really big ones and I'm worried that when I do orgasm hard, that I might make the cystocele worse from contractions and uncontrollable pushing outward ( if that makes sense? ) I know that sex in general won't make it worse, but I can't help but get stuck in my head about it which can really dampen my mood with my husband.

Cross-posted in the Ehlers-Danlos sub

Something is definitely off with my pelvic-area. I have been having urinary incontinence for a while, but it seems to be getting worse.

Yesterday when I felt in my vagina in the shower, there was something THERE in the way. It wasn’t my cervix. I have a feeling of fullness in my pelvis, along with pressure and discomfort.

I saw my primary today for a checkup, but since I was there with symptoms she did a pelvic exam. She noted that my vagina looked red and irritated and that I had discharge that looked a little thick and “cottage cheesy.” Well my vaginitis panel came back negative, but I’m definitely having this weird white discharge that almost looks like a facial tissue that went through the wash.

I see my OBGYN on Tuesday (he’s amazing), and I see a urogynecologist on 2/22. I understand that cystocele and other types of prolapse are common in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I have a hEDS diagnosis. It’s also important to note I was just diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome and I’m not sure if that’s a factor in anything. I take hormonal birth control continuously and I longer am have a menstrual cycle (I skip the placebo week of pills). I am about to turn 35 and I’ve never had any children.

Does anything this sound like a prolapse? Does it seem concerning? Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom!

Hi everyone! I'm in my early 30's, I've had 3 vaginal deliveries of large babies. I was diagnosed with a stage 1 cystocele ( bladder prolapse ) it seems to be more of a stage 2 at times. I've done pelvic floor physiotherapy which helped alot. But it's super hard to stay on top of sometimes. I have a tens unit type kegal trainer. My weights and cones just don't work for me. Sooo now for the TMI part. I orgasm really easily, and endlessly. I tend to have really big ones and I'm worried that when I do orgasm hard, that I might make the cystocele worse from contractions and uncontrollable pushing outward ( if that makes sense? ) I know that sex in general won't make it worse, but I can't help but get stuck in my head about it which can really dampen my mood with my husband.