Have you done any heavy lifting, have prolapse in your family or have other problems such as a constant cough or chronic constipation? There are other reasons as well for urine leakage and prolapses as well than having had children.
I know a lady who also has not had children but had leakage due to having done heavy lifting for some time.
The treatments are the same whether you have had children or not.
I hope this helps.
I have the same problem, but I'm 33 and have never had children :(
A urodynamic test is one that is frequently done, I'm going to send you a PM (private message) that explains the basic tests typically done. I'm guessing that because you have a strong pelvic floor, they want to dig a bit deeper to find cause of leakage. Since you are consulting with a urygyn, just ask straight up what they are looking for and why the need for cystoscopy. You have a right to know and if they can't give you a reason that makes sense to you, it's your choice to pass on that test. Never let yourself be talked into tests that you feel are unnecessary.
Sher
Hi, Sherie
I actually did go to a urogynecology clinic - it was in fact a urogynecologist who checked my pelvic floor muscles and suggested I have the cystoscopy.
She didn't mention the vaginal wall prolapse - it was my GP who commented on that and then referred me to the UG clinic.
So I'm still not sure whether to have the cystoscopy or not. Can't see the point of looking inside my bladder if the problem is a cystocele (whatever that is) in the urethra.
Cheers, TeresaMary
Cheers,. TeresaMary
Ya, this came through just fine! So sorry for any confusion in posting, vagina would not be filtered out-anthing related to health concerns comes through just fine.
I'm glad to hear none of the traditional symptoms fit, that's a good sign. Front wall of vagina indicates cystocele (bladder prolapse) and may be the cause of leakage. Sometimes as estrogen levels drop it impacts the strength and integrity of muscle tisse-all muscles both internal and external. Although you've always maintained a strong pelvic floor, it could be estrogen shift that is making things weaker and since you've had some leakage since birth of children, now a cystocele is occurring.
I think it would be a good idea to consult with a urogyn to clarify cause of leakage; since they are the best educated in all pelvic floor concerns, this type dr will be able to tell if shifting of organs/tissues creating pressure are causing problems. Some physicians will do an MRI; cystoscopy is a pretty common procedure but I urge you to voice your concerns with the dr about this test and if there is a way around in it in your paticular situation, maybe you'll be able to avoid it.
Let me know how things turn out!
Sher
Dear Sherri
Okay, here goes, This my THIRD attempt to answer the questions you asked.
First of all, you asked how my doctor knew I had strong pelvic floor muscles. She was doing an internal exam and after she removed the speculum she inserted her index finger into my vagina and asked me to 'pull up' or tighten my pelvic floor muscles. When I did so, she commented that I did it very strongly. (She also commented that a lot of women have no idea how to do this.)
Next, you asked me to check your list of symptoms of POP. I did that, and I don't have any of these symptoms.
I do have slight stress incontinence - i.e. a slight bladder leakage when I sneeze or cough - and have had this since the birth of my three children 40-odd years ago. I do NOT have any urge incontinence or any other urinary problems.
One of my doctors also said that I had a slight prolapse on the front wall of my vagina, and I wonder if this could be connected to my post-micturition dribble? I.e. could my urethra somehow be 'folding' into this weakness of the vaginal wall, so that a small reservoir of urine sits there and does not drain away until I stand up?
As I said in my original post, my main concern is about having a cystoscopy. I really would prefer not to have this unless it is REALLY, REALLY necessary.
What do you think?
Regards
TeresaMary
Hi again, Sherrie
I just wondered - does this site censor explicit language? I did use the word 'vagina' in my post, could that be the problem? I don't see how you can discuss female problems without using that word!
Cheers again
Teresa
Dear Sherrie
As per your suggestion, I posted a second detailed reply to your questions and I definitely made sure I clicked on 'Post Comment' when I had finished. I did this yesterday.
However it doesn't appear in this thread ... what is going on? Am I doing something else wrong?
Normally if a post grabs it s/b visable on your home page; I checked there hon and don't see it. I'm afraid you will probably have to redo it. You have to make sure to hit "post comment" prior to going to a different page or it won't grab.
Sher
Dear sherrieP
I posted a detailed response to your queries above a couple of days ago, but it hasn't appeared in this thread and I don't know how to find it ... help!
TeresaMary
How did your physician determine that your pelvic floor muscles are very strong? Often as we get beyond 50 we start to experience the full impact of childbirth. During 2nd stage labor, the babies head compresses on the nerves of the pelvic cavity; the damage of crushing of these nerves often does not display itself until many years later when other factors compound the issue. Loss of estrogen impacts muscle tissue strength, integrity, and density. Even when we supplement with estrogen, we still are impacted.
First up, take a look at the post below to see if you have any other symptoms of POP-there are 5 types and the dynamic for every woman is a bit unique. Incontinence is almost always related to pelvic floor weakness/damage when there isn't specific disease or accident damage involved. If you do feel some of the symptoms/causes fit, I highly recommend you seek counsel with a urogynecologist; in general most physicians don't address POP in the depth it should be.
It's great that you've done Kegels all along, that puts you ahead of the curve, but as the nerve/tissue damage starts to become more pronounced, sometimes that is not enough to keep things in balance. We also often become a bit "lazy" with our Kegel technique-it's vital that Kegels are done correctly and consistently. Once you've had a chance to review the article, shoot me additional questions you may have. Also I'm going to have this post transferred over to my new POP forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pelvic-Organ-Prolapse-POP/LETS-TAKE-PELVIC-ORGAN-PROLAPSE-OUT-OF-THE-CLOSET/show/1531725
Sher