I'm confused on what a bladder prolapse feels like. Please help

[holbys]

Please help with what it would feel like?
I'm terrified I've got it.

When I had a prolapse my bladder protruded outside of my body like a soft egg. Why do you think you have a prolapse?

@Petrine when looking at my vagina, if I push/bear down, a bulge is visible at the top of my vagina. When I feel with my finger, it feels like it's curved at the front.

I'm petrified!

I'm panicking so much.

I don't know if I can go to the emergency weekend doctor with this? I don't know if I'm being crazy.

I have a prolapse. You have described it well. Although there is nothing that can be done. So unless you have other complications no need for a&e. You can get physio to try to strengthen muscles but otherwise you have to live with it.

@Mumdiva99 that's terrifying. I'm absolutely bawling. I'm only early 20s.

I have a prolapse, mine is actually my bowel.
It's not an emergency but if I were you I would book an appointment with a gynaecologist or see a gp for referral to a gynaecologist to discuss severity and options.
It's not true that there is nothing that can be done and you have to live with it. I have been told that physio will help but I have booked to have mine repaired surgically. I have lived with it for years now but I can feel it more and more and an operation is the right thing for me.

No need to panic or go to A&E. Contact your GP. They should refer you to a pessary clinic. A pessary is a soft silicon ring, inserted to hold everything in place. They’ll probably also refer you for physio, to do strengthening exercises. You may also be offered surgery.

It does sound like it could be a mild prolapse - very common in women who have had babies. I developed one after my daughter was born 15 years ago but it has never progressed beyond being a bulge inside my vagina - this is the most common outcome so try not to panic.

i’d recommend a trip to your regular doctor next week - they might refer you to a women’s health clinic where they can help you with pelvic floor exercises etc.

@Ohwhatakerfuffle the pessary thing terrifies me, as does surgery. I feel like I'm living in a nightmare.

When checking, what position should you be in?

I've been lying in front of the mirror with my legs up and checking that way? I don't think I can see anything standing but it's really difficult that way to see anything!

See is there is a women's pelvic physio near you. They are very helpful and reassuring. They will gently examine you and give you excellent advice.

@HarryBlackberry1 no private ones and need a referral from the GP for the NHS one which I have no idea how long it could take!

I don't know if I'm going crazy. I have horrendous health anxiety and have diagnosed myself with 100s of things that have never happened. I'm hoping it's that but I can't stop the panic attacks

I had a prolapse at 30 after my second baby. Whilst I completely understand you are worried, there is no need to panic. You need to see the GP and get a referral to a public health physio. I ended up having the surgery for a repair and whilst no surgery should be undertaken lightly, it’s was fine.

Get a grip. Your vagina is muscular. When you bear down you are activating the muscles. That's what you're seeing.

What other symptoms do you actually have? If you had a prolapse you'd have many symptoms.

This is your health anxiety.

@anythinginapinch this is genuinely what I was hoping someone would say.

I've had weird symptoms that mimic a UTI over the past couple of weeks with all clear tests but that's my only bladder symptoms ever - this could also be psychological though, it seems to stop a lot when I'm distracted!

Now I feel like there's something in my vagina, but only since I started spiralling about prolapse yesterday and probing it.

I'm just having such a panic. My last birth was 4.5 years ago and I'm early/mid 20s.

I have one.. mines very bad now( I'm 66) but had loads of gynaecology operations in past.
There is loads that can be done.. First will be shown exercises.. then if doesn't work a pessary ring.. if it's too bad maybe surgery..
When you urinate can you fully empty your bladder in one go?
Does it feel like you're sitting on a golf ball sometime?
Can you insert your fingers all the way up?.
Can you feel your cervix?
The bone shaped donut?
GP first port of call.. to be examined.. GP will beable to tell straight away if you have a prolapse and refer you on to a urogynocologist nurse .
If you have one and only mild waiting can be up to 2 years and you will be offered exercises.. only if it's bad will you be referred urgently.
Honestly it's not the end of the world.. l know it's hard but please try not to worry.. it won't fall out.. x

That really does sound like anxiety not physical health. Anxiety often causes bladder symptoms of urgency and frequency - that feeling we all have when say about to stand up and speak to a huge group, of suddenly needing a wee, is an example of the stress/bladder link. If you're highly/often anxious then it's likely you are experiencing urgency and frequency, which then irritates your urethra causing soreness.

@IWantToBeASleepingCat I think I can fully empty my bladder. I've never had leakage.

I can put my fingers all the way and cervix is feelable.

@anythinginapinch the bladder symptoms have mostly subsided and I just feel when I walk that I'm going to pee myself (but don't). Can this still be anxiety? (Therapy referral is pending anyway)

Just to reassure you, I have had a mild prolapse for years and it doesn’t cause me any problems and hasn’t got any worse. I finally got around to talking to my GP and getting a referral. I was told it was worth trying to strengthen the muscles before menopause. Don’t worry it isn’t an emergency.

@holbys
I honestly don't think you have a prolapse.. but I'm not an expert.
I did work at a Well womens centre on women's health anxiety .. but mainly Endometriosis.
It's hard l know... but try not to worry.. but what you're describing about your fingers and cervix it honestly doesn't sound like a prolapse.
When fingers inserted you would feel " the bulge" big or tiny protruding into your vagina through the wall.
A quick examination like a smear test ( but just with the GP's fingers will beable to tell straight away) . But my GP didn't even use fingers .. it was seen straight away.. ( but I'm old and don't have a cervix .. total hysterectomy).
Honestly l know it's hard not to worry.. but try not to imagine the worst before you definitely know for sure. If it turns out to be a prolapse.. like l said there definitely is help available..
Also if l were you maybe ask about talking therapy for health anxiety..
Sometimes depending where you live you can refer yourself.
Look up NHS Talking Therapy.
Good luck x

If it was a bladder prolapse wouldn’t you be wetting yourself? Two GPs have checked me and said no prolapse but at a smear test years ago the nurse said I have a collapsed vaginal wall. Quite common I believe. Causes me no problems apart from a bit of anxiety. It’s not life-threatening and people deal with much worse. You’ll be fine x

@Cattery I'm not sure!

I've took pictures and I just think it looks concerning, like you can see both of my vaginal walls just from looking in

Well something constructive you can do now with all the energy you are spending worrying is some Kegek exercises. Get cracking with those and get yourself booked in.

Even if it is a prolapse, it's not harmful, you are not going to die. You will be absolutely fine.

Hi I know it's been a few months but I wondered how you were getting on OP ? I have something very similar to what you describe and the doctor is sending me for physio.