Collapsed bladder

[Lily2007]

Been leaking urine since November, came on suddenly. 4 tests for uti, 3 negative, 1 positive so can't be that. Pretty constant leaking. Appears during period to be leaking onto tampon too, weird. Vaginal exam saw leaking but couldn't feel anything abnormal. Large fibroid. Retroverted uterus. Lots of irregular bleeding. Mid 40s. Been referred to hospital for physio, ultrasound, and urodynamics? Also given meds to relax bladder which may make me see flashes of light. 2 kids but no symptoms until youngest 10. Starting to feel hot when everyone else is cold.

Anyone been through anything similar and know what's likely to happen. Very embarrassing but is it likely to go with menopause, will exercises help? I'm hoping to avoid major surgery. Large fibroid found last year don't know how large but I'm pretty thin so can't be as big as they get. Thanks for any help.

TBH I doubt if a nurse (sorry all nurses) could spot a bladder prolapse unless they are very experienced in gynae issues.

Have you been following the media stuff about vaginal mesh? The way it's used was to lift the bladder back into position to support it. With leakage, the bladder valve doesn't hold, and the urethra falls out of position too, so there is no outward support holding the urine in. Unless your bladder is really bulging at your vaginal opening, it's hard to see. If you stand up and insert a finger, can you feel a soft bulge yourself? It's about 2-3 inches in,and on the front wall, towards your tummy, not your bum.

You could try doing Kegels- 30 a day so that's 3 sets of 10. 10 long holds - count to 10 for each one- and then 10 fast ones. Anyone you see will advise this for 6 months before they touch you with surgery.

Look at this video. She's an expert.

One final thing- female incontinence is a gynae issue usually not a uro- they tend to specialise in men.

Thanks very much Polly. I noticed they specialise in men, they gave me a sheet on kegel exercises which was clearly for men and I don't have the body parts for. [Blush]