Can bloating make urinary symptoms worse? Plus some other questions....

Submitted by TDBC on November 15, 2012 - 8:43am
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I was diagnosed with a grade one cystocle a few years ago, after complaining about urinary frequency (only when standing). At my last GYN check up (18 months ago) the GYN noted that my uterus was also "starting to droop". I've gained weight in the last few years, which I think has made my symptoms recur (they abated for a while).

Here's my question -- I notice that I tend to get bloated and have loose stools when I have too much dairy and I think that might be making urinary symptoms worse. Is that possible? When my bowels are empty, the urinary frequency gets better. Common or something to worry about?

Also - is it possible to have urinary symptoms even if I don't feel a bulge? I DO feel it when I insert my fingers a little bit into my vagina -- when I press on the squishy (and striated?) bulge I feel in there, it re-creates the sense of having to pee. The same thing happens when I insert a tampon. Are these consistent with a cystocle?

Is it common to have urinary frequency without urgency? I tend to feel the little tingle of having to urinate about 30 - 45 minutes after going -- if I were to go then, I'd only get a little out (but the tingle/urge would go away). I try to wait at least 3 hours. Common/consistent with prolapse?

I do have a GYN appointment coming up, but in the meantime I've gotten myself all worked up that I have some crazy abdominal tumor causing my urinary frequency (I have loads of anxiety and tend to think the worse). I'd be more relaxed until my appointment if I knew that these symptoms were consistent with bladder and/or uterine prolapse!!

Thanks!!

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TDBC

November 15, 2012 - 8:54am

Two other things: the frequency is 1) worse when I'm standing (I hardly notice it when I sit), and worse when I cough. I have always woken once at night to pee -- and this has not changed.

How much, and it what way, does anxiety/thinking about having to pee affect frequency?

Surviving60

November 15, 2012 - 9:39am

Hi TDBC – I don’t think you need to worry too much about this. Everything is very connected in there, and in constant motion. Any and all of what you describe is consistent with prolapse and the dietary issues that you have noted. And stress aggravates all of it!

Avoid stress, watch out for the foods that bloat you, take a good probiotic, make sure you are emptying your bladder completely, no straining on the toilet. The best course of action in managing prolapse is the Whole Woman posture that is the focus of this website and forum. Have you checked it out? Please do so, before you go to the doctor, so you can assess his or her recommendations (if any) in a realistic light. Check out the FAQ’s above (scroll to the bottom for the posture pix) and watch the first video on the Video page (go to Resources tab). This is all about correcting the posture to move the organs forward and take the pressure off the vaginal space. It has worked for so many. I can’t imagine where I’d be with this, had I not tried this approach. Good luck to you! - Surviving

lifegoeson04

November 15, 2012 - 9:38am

Hello

You sound very worry, i dont know a lot as only had my prolapses for a few months but it sounds to me like it could be a bladder prolapse. With my bladder prolapse I do have very similar symptoms, keep going to the toilet because i am unable to empty my bladder fully so yes i would go again then 30 to 40 mins later.

I dont try to hold my urine a lot as worried about getting a bladder infection etc..Yes it is worse when i stand also as gravity natural makes it drop more.
If you stand up or sitting on the toilet is there no bulge? it may just be very minor and have they tested for infection or anything?

If your cervix is drooping i really would get the whole woman posture going asap, and do exercises off the DVDs etc because if you do nothing i do believe it will get worse.

Dont panic, its horrible but it get better with time :)

ang411

November 15, 2012 - 10:16am

Hi TDBC. I experience worsening symptoms when I consume cheeses and occasionally eggs. Weird, but I just eliminate them and things sure up. Have you tried eliminating the dairy? If you have loose stools afterwards and bloating - it's definitely something to give up. Even if it's just for a little while and then try to reintroduce. I've also noticed (as I'm sure many have) that when my bowels are full I can feel things much more. As soon as I've eliminated it's better. It makes sense when you look at the way prolapsed organs are all bunched together. I highly recommend the posture work and trusting your body and listening closely. I waiver with this and sometimes get into fear mode and panic, but usually the body is signaling something when symptoms get worse, so just try to trust and listen. Also, try the recommended methods to make sure your bladder is emptied all the way. Lean forward to rest your arms on thighs and lift your bottom off the seat. I believe Christine refers visualizing a bucket that needs to be tilted all the way to empty properly and completely. I think the foods are irritating your urinary tract. I've had the same issues. I think the anxiety has a huge effect. I've actually gotten to a point where I'm so worked up that I recently just decided ... oh well ... what's the worst thing that will happen - I will actually pee myself. I don't want to of course, but owning the reality and letting go of the fear seems to shift my thinking and calm me down. If it's really bad I wear a pad just in case. Anyway, happy day ... hope that helps. Good luck.
Ang

TDBC

November 15, 2012 - 10:43am

Thank you all SO much!! I have been freaking out about this and you have made me feel so much better! I have been agonizing about waiting until my 12/12 appointment, or pleading to get in sooner. It sounds like I can wait until my regular appointment.

I will check out the posture now...

Few more questions:

1) Why would I be having all the symptoms of a prolapse without feeling any vaginal pressure or fullness? I definitely feel something with my fingers (about 1/2 inch in, I think) but I don't feel anything otherwise.

2) Looking back, I realized that (for a while now) I have to bear down a little to release urine -- it's like the stream is very weak and I have to work to get it started and/or get it all out. Related to prolapse?

3) Over the past few years, my stools have become softer and less formed. I don't have diarrhea or cramps or any discomfort, things are just less formed than they used to be. Could this be connected to prolapse? I do notice that dairy does contribute to this.

4) I know that most lactose-intolerant people experience bloating/gas shortly after consuming dairy, but mine doesn't happen until the next day. Does anyone else experience this?

Thank you so much! I hope it's OK, but I will probably be checking in here for a while until my appointment. I have SO much anxiety about this and the reassurance is very helpful!!!

Surviving60

November 15, 2012 - 11:36am

1 – Yes, entirely possible. Lots of variations on how, when or even if we feel symptoms. They can come on gradually over time, or can seem to be a sudden new development (which they rarely are, we just weren’t noticing or didn’t put a name to the problem).

2 – There is lots of variation in what would be considered a normal urine stream. Mine was always moderate but never to the point where I had to bear down. If this is something new for you, it could be related to prolapse and might change after you have adopted posture. Meanwhile, bearing down isn’t a good thing. Lift up and forward to tilt your bladder and unkink everything so you can empty completely. Or do on all fours if you need to.

3 – Rectocele has many effects on pooping, but I don’t think consistency is one of these. Probably more related to diet.

4 – People are different in how long things take to pass through their systems. Quicker is better, I think, though I’m not sure what (if anything) we can do to change this.

Keep checking back! - Surviving

curiousity

November 15, 2012 - 12:21pm

Hi TDBC,

Yes to all of the above! A lot of the time I also don't have the sensation of the bulge even though if i feel inside my vagina it is there (I have primary cystocele and rectocele). My dr told me I had prolapse - I had no idea. I think this disconnect between the sensations and the presence of prolapse makes sense. Think about when you use a tampon (if you can with your POP) - you can't feel it even though you have something inside your vagina. I think the bulge has to get very close to the vaginal opening for you to have the sensation of it (like a tampon that hasn't been inserted properly). I feel mine when I am bloated, constipated, stressed, have thrush, or towards the end of my cycle. When I am bloated, I imagine my stomach ballooning out in all directions, pushing the prolapses further into the vaginal space. And this would include putting pressure on your bladder I think, as the organs are all sitting on top of each other, giving you the urge that you are talking about.

All the best and hope this helps!

Surviving60

November 15, 2012 - 12:37pm

I think that I had cystocele without being aware of it, because one day my regular doctor was giving me a PAP and asked if I was going to the bathroom a lot! I said no, and that was the end of the discussion. I was not all that symptomatic until a year or so later when the rectocele developed....that is the source of most of my symptoms. - Surviving