One in three women will experience urinary incontinence during a first-time pregnancy, and this number shoots up to over 75% of women after multiple pregnancies. It can be inconvenient, frustrating, and embarrassing at times.
Thankfully bladder control usually returns after a few months of postpartum healing, but in the cases it doesn’t, the culprit could be cystocele—also known as bladder prolapse. A cystocele occurs when the internal wall separating the bladder and the vagina has become weakened and loses its ability to hold the bladder in place. The bladder starts to sag into the vagina which can cause a visible bulge outside of the vaginal opening in high-grade cases.
There are many treatment options available for cystocele ranging from noninvasive lifestyle changes to surgery. One effective option many women are increasingly relying on as a primary or complementary treatment is hypopressives for cystocele. This tool can reduce unpleasant symptoms and it may even help reposition the bladder more favourably.
Understanding Cystocele: Causes and Symptoms
Cystocele can develop for a number of reasons, but the most well-known contributor is pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is physical pressure pressing down on the bladder from the rapidly growing uterus. This additional volume and weight can put stress on the pelvic floor muscles that usually hold the bladder in place.
Pregnancy also causes a boost in production of the hormone progesterone, and this causes muscles and ligaments to become more lax which can add to the issue of internal organs shifting out of place.
Pregnancy isn’t the only situation that can lead to bladder prolapse, however. Other risk factors are menopause, frequent heavy lifting, and chronic constipation. These can all contribute to pelvic strain, weakness, and eventually a downward migration of the bladder.
The signs of cystocele are usually a consistent sensation of pressure in the vagina, pelvic pain, frequent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and incomplete emptying of the bladder. This may be accompanied with a bulge inside or protruding from the vagina.
Hypopressives: A Low-Pressure Approach to Pelvic Floor Health
Hypopressives for cystocele is a fantastic approach since it can reduce the need for more invasive options in many cases.
The concept of hypopressives centers around a breathing technique called an abdominal vacuum which is paired with dynamic movement. It provides a gentle yet effective workout that targets the deep core muscle as well as the diaphragm, and muscles that make up the pelvic floor.
Most importantly for remedying prolapse, hypopressives create a low-pressure environment in the abdominal cavity which acts like a vacuum and encourages upward movement for the internal organs.
How Hypopressives Can Improve Cystocele: Exploring the Benefits
Hypopressives can help with cystocele in another very targeted way. The bladder is not only supported by the pelvic floor, but it’s also held in place from above by the median umbilical ligament.
This ligament connects from the bladder to behind the naval, and when hypopressive vacuum breathing is practised, it draws the naval area upwards. This can gently pull on the median umbilical ligament and encourage the bladder to move upwards back in place.
Beyond this effect, hypopressives can improve symptoms of cystocele by improving bladder function and reducing the occurrence of incontinence.
Getting Started With Hypopressives
For the Hypopressives classes it is important that you learn the Breathing/Apnea technique properly so that you can get the most out of the classes and the time you invest in yourself. Each week Simone runs Fundamentals sessions on Zoom where she explains the technique and guides you through all the steps.
She will also give you feedback to make sure that you’re doing it correctly. For some, the technique may come more quickly than others. Some of her clients, who are tighter in the ribs and thoracic spine do tend to take a little longer. And here’s the golden rule – for impactful change, Simone recommends at least three 15 to 20-minute workouts per week. Consistency is your best friend on this journey towards wellness.
