Mild bladder prolapse usually improves with pelvic floor exercises, weight management, and avoiding straining, while more advanced prolapse may need a pessary or surgery.
How much a treatment helps depends on the grade of the prolapse and how bothersome your symptoms are, such as a feeling of vaginal pressure, a visible bulge, or trouble emptying your bladder fully. Daily pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, done consistently over several months, can strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and reduce mild symptoms. Treating chronic constipation and chronic cough, losing excess weight, and avoiding heavy lifting all reduce the downward pressure that worsens prolapse over time. If symptoms are more noticeable, a fitted vaginal pessary can support the bladder without surgery, and it can be removed or adjusted as needed. When prolapse is significant or a pessary is not enough, surgical repair is an option a clinician can walk you through.
How prolapse is managed
Common questions
What helps bladder prolapse?
Bladder prolapse, also called a cystocele, happens when the bladder drops from its normal position and bulges into the vagina because pelvic floor muscles and tissue have weakened. For mild cases, pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, avoiding heavy lifting, treating constipation, managing chronic cough, and reaching a healthy weight can reduce symptoms and slow progression. Moderate prolapse often responds well to a pessary, a removable device a clinician fits to support the bladder from inside the vagina. Surgery is an option when prolapse is more severe or a pessary is not effective. A clinician can confirm the grade of your prolapse and match treatment to it.