A woman's bladder can fall, or prolapse, when the ligaments, muscles and tissues that support the organ become weak and stretch down toward the vagina. The condition of a fallen, or prolapsed bladder is also called a cystocele. Artificial supports inserted into the vagina or surgery may be required to treat severe cystoceles, but sometimes the damage is minor and can be reversed naturally. Maintaining an ideal weight, strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and using estrogenic herbs may help naturally lift your bladder.
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Lose weight, under the supervision of your doctor, if you are diagnosed with a cystocele and your weight falls outside your ideal range. MayoClinic.com states that obesity can be a cause of a fallen bladder; dropping a few pounds in a safe manner can take pressure off of your muscles and ligaments and may reverse your condition.
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Do Kegel exercises to strengthen the weak pelvic floor muscles that have contributed to your cystocele. Contract the muscles that you use to control your flow of urine, hold the position for seconds, and relax. Try this exercise while sitting on the toilet if you are having difficulty identifying the right muscles. Once you know what area to tighten, you can do Kegels anywhere, at any time. Work up to 10 to 15 repetitions per set, and perform them frequently throughout the day.
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Ask your doctor about taking estrogenic herbs--herbal supplements that act like the hormone estrogen--if you have already reached menopause. According to MayoClinic.com, estrogen contributes to strong pelvic muscles, which in turn can keep your bladder from falling. The March-April 2002 issue of the journal Menopause reports that black cohosh and ginseng are among the herbs that reduce menopause symptoms due to their estrogen-like properties. Dosages will vary according to need and your individual medical history.
