Mini-Bladder Lift

Mini-Bladder Lift

Thousands of women suffer needlessly from involuntary urine leakage and other Female Urological Disorders. It causes a disruption in daily life as well as shame and embarrassment. While it is a common condition, it is not “normal”. Dr. Taek Kim is a board certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. He offers a range of minimally invasive treatments to relieve urinary incontinence.

A cystocele occurs when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina weakens and allows the bladder to droop into the vagina. This condition may cause discomfort and problems with emptying the bladder.

A bladder that has dropped from its normal position may cause two kinds of problems — unwanted urine leakage and incomplete emptying of the bladder. In some women, a fallen bladder stretches the opening into the urethra, causing urine leakage when the woman coughs, sneezes, laughs or moves in any way that puts pressure on the bladder.

A cystocele is mild (grade 1) when the bladder droops only a short way into the vagina. With more severe (grade 2) cystocele, the bladder sinks far enough to reach the opening of the vagina. The most advanced (grade 3) cystocele occurs when the bladder bulges out through the opening of the vagina.

A cystocele may result from muscle straining while giving birth. Other kinds of straining — such as heavy lifting or repeated straining during bowel movements — also may cause the bladder to fall. The hormone estrogen helps keep the muscles around the vagina strong. When women go through menopause (when they stop having periods), their bodies stop making estrogen, so the muscles around the vagina and bladder may grow weak.

A doctor may be able to diagnose a grade 2 or grade 3 cystocele from a description of symptoms and from physical examination of the vagina because the fallen part of the bladder will be visible.

Large cystoceles may require surgery to move the bladder back into a more normal position and keep it there.