Repairing Bladder Function: Hypopressives for Cystocele

Repairing Bladder Function: Hypopressives for Cystocele

Contents:

  1. Understanding Cystocele: Causes and Symptoms
  2. Hypopressives: A Low-Pressure Approach to Pelvic Floor Health
  3. How Hypopressives Can Improve Cystocele: Exploring the Benefits
  4. Getting Started With Hypopressives
  5. Frequently Asked Questions

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.

A stronger core and better postural alignment

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cystocele can range from unnoticeable and symptomless to very serious and uncomfortable. Seeking treatment isn't always necessary, but it's recommended since it can improve comfort and reduce the possibility of it becoming worse.

Being proactive about cystocele is always a good idea, but it's especially important if you have symptoms of incomplete emptying of the bladder. This can lead to chronic urinary tract infections which in rare cases can spread to the kidneys and cause serious damage.

Cystocele can be treated with pelvic floor training (such as hypopressives), lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, pessary use (a device inserted to support the vaginal wall), surgery, or a combination of several methods.

Anyone currently experiencing cystocele should avoid heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for longer than necessary, or traditional core exercises like sit-ups that put downward pressure on the pelvic floor.

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What our members say

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Hypopressives is an effective technique toward relieving symptoms related to Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Diastasis Recti and Urinary Incontinence. Hypopressives also improves poor posture, pelvic floor weakness and back pain. I offer a flexible approach to memberships and a 14-day free trial.

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About the Author

Simone Muller is the founder of re-centre and has over 22 years of teaching experience across Pilates, Low Pressure Fitness and Yoga.

She launched the online platform to make Low Pressure Fitness and Hypopressives more accessible to more women around the world so that they can become the strongest and most functional versions of themselves.

Originally from South Africa, Simone's dance and Pilates career evolved when she faced post-childbirth challenges, prompting her to explore Low Pressure Fitness in Spain.

As the first level 3 instructor in London, she has witnessed transformative postnatal rehabilitation results in clients, addressing issues like Diastasis Recti, prolapse and incontinence.

Simone has written articles for the re-centre blog 'Kegels not Working?', 'The connection between menstruation and prolapse symptoms' and 'Why I love teaching postnatal rehabilitation?'.

Simone has also written guest posts for The Shala 'What is Low Pressure Fitness', Yana Active 'Prioritising your Pelvic Floor Health After Giving Birth and Nurturing the Core' and for The Pelvic Academy 'Empowering Women's Health - The Power of Collaboration Between Hypopressives, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths'.

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