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Located just behind and above the pubic bone, the bladder is a hollow muscle tissue sac that collects and stores urine until it can be excreted. Bladder problems can include stones, infections, or problems with bladder control.
However, because of its proximity to the reproductive organs, infections and diseases of the bladder can often affect a woman’s gynecological health, too.
Bladder diseases in women can occur at any age and can impact your everyday life, including daily routines, sexual health, and emotional well-being. Contact our office right away if you’re experiencing new or concerning symptoms such as:
- Pain when urinating
- Urinary incontinence — loss of bladder control
- Urinary retention — difficulty fully voiding your bladder
- Pelvic pain
What are some types of bladder diseases?
Several bladder diseases can affect women with varying bladder symptoms. Among the most common are:
Urinary tract infections
According to the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect 50-60% of women at least once in their lifetime. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter and travel up the urethra.
The urinary system consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys — each of which can become infected. Most UTIs are bladder infections, but the bacteria can also spread to the upper urinary system and develop into a kidney infection.
Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than men because they have shorter urethras. This, along with the proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus, makes them susceptible to bacterial invasion. You should always urinate after sexual intercourse to flush out any bacteria that may have come in contact with the urethra.
Common symptoms of UTIs include constantly feeling like you have to pass urine, difficulty urinating, and a painful sensation during urine flow. Fortunately, most UTIs can be diagnosed with a urine test and treated quickly with antibiotics.
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a bladder symptom with many potential causes. It occurs when the urinary sphincter (bladder muscles) relaxes uncontrollably, allowing urine to leak out.
Bladder control issues (urgent urination) in women can be caused by many things, such as hormonal and bodily changes, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, a spinal cord injury or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles due to hysterectomy, aging, or childbirth.
The different types of urinary incontinence — including overactive bladder, bladder pressure, stress incontinence, and urge incontinence — are categorized by their symptoms. These symptoms can vary from mild, such as leaking when you cough or sneeze, to more severe, such as having an urgent need to urinate that you may not reach a restroom in time.
Depending on the severity, inhibited bladder muscle control may not profoundly impact your daily routine. But for others, such as urinary incontinence (overflow incontinence) and an overactive bladder, it can affect quality of life. Our healthcare provider will likely want to perform evaluation and testing to determine what’s behind your incontinence. Depending on the cause, there may be several options to treat leaking urine and frequent urination, ranging from lifestyle changes to physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a collection of chronic symptoms affecting the bladder. It is also known as painful bladder syndrome, bladder pain syndrome (BPS), or chronic pelvic pain.
Interstitial cystitis symptoms are generally similar to UTI symptoms (urge to urinate, bladder pain, burning while urinating). But IC can also cause constant or intermittent pain and pressure around the bladder.
Because the causes of IC are not well understood, it can be challenging to diagnose. A variety of tests may be needed to determine what could be causing your IC, ruling out potential factors like an autoimmune condition or overstimulated nerves surrounding the bladder.
While some individuals experience chronic IC, about half of patients have their symptoms disappear on their own.
Cystocele
A cystocele, also known as a prolapsed bladder, occurs when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina weakens. Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can cause the bladder to sag or droop into the vagina. A cystocele prolapse can result from childbirth, repetitive heavy lifting, and hormonal changes associated with menopause.
Cystocele symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can present as pressure in the lower abdomen, pain, or the feeling that one cannot completely empty one’s bladder. An evaluation from Dr. Aliabadi can usually diagnose a fallen bladder.
If the cystocele isn’t causing symptoms, you may not need medical intervention. At-home prolapsed bladder treatments, like Kegel exercises, may help improve the condition. For more severe cases, Dr. Aliabdi usually attempts conservative treatment options like a pessary or estrogen therapy before considering prolapse surgery.
What should I do if I think I am experiencing a bladder condition?
Bladder conditions can impact your daily life, whether symptoms are mild or severe. Please make an appointment if you are experiencing urinary concerns, pain, or pressure in the pelvic region. We can do a pelvic exam and order more testing, such as urinalysis or ultrasound.
Problems with urination can indicate multiple problems and should never be ignored, especially if you notice blood in your urine. Blood in the urine could be a symptom of kidney stones, bladder cancer, or a severe UTI — all of which need medical attention. If Dr. Aliabadi discovers a bladder problem she can’t address, she can refer you to a urologist (a specialist in the urinary tract).
Have questions about bladder diseases or other health concerns? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi and her compassionate team are experts in women’s health care. When treated by Dr. Aliabadi, you’re guaranteed to feel safe, heard, and well cared for.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Paruresis, commonly known as shy bladder syndrome, is a type of social anxiety disorder where a person is unable to urinate in the presence of others. This condition can cause significant stress and anxiety for those affected, as it may hinder their ability to urinate in public restrooms or in other situations where privacy is limited.
Bladder stones, also known as bladder emptying, are hard mineral deposits in the bladder. They develop when minerals in concentrated urine crystallize and clump together, often due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. These stones can range from tiny grains to larger, more obstructive masses.
Bladder polyps are abnormal growths that protrude from the bladder’s lining. They can vary in size and number and are typically benign, although they have the potential to be malignant. Bladder polyps can be found in both men and women and are often discovered incidentally during investigations for other urinary issues.
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the tissues of the bladder, which is the organ responsible for storing urine in the human body. It is one of the most common types of cancer and primarily affects older adults.
The risk of developing interstitial cystitis is higher in women, especially those over 30, and is associated with factors such as a history of bladder infections, chronic pain conditions, autoimmune responses, and genetics. Stress, allergies, and psychosocial factors may also contribute to the risk.
Sources
Prevalence of urinary incontinence among a nationally representative sample of women, 2005–2016: findings from the Urologic Diseases in America Project. Journal of Urology.
https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/JU.0000000000001634
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome.
