by Laura Brott, APRN of Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine in Falls Church
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when cells that are very similar to the cells inside the uterus (endometrial cells), which can grow outside of the uterus on various organs and other places in the body. These cells create a lot of inflammation wherever they settle, which could be on the:
- bladder
- bowel
- diaphragm
- pelvic wall
It can also be found elsewhere, but most commonly, endometriosis is found in the abdomen and pelvis, but it can be located elsewhere throughout the body.
Learn more about endometriosis
How does endometriosis affect the bladder?
Endometriosis can be found directly on the bladder, but the bladder can also be affected by endometriosis on nearby structures. Since endometriosis puts out inflammatory signals, the entire pelvis can feel those effects. That inflammation can also cause dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles and nerves, and those can cause issues with bladder/urinary function as well.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis affecting the bladder?
The symptoms of endometriosis beginning to affect the bladder include:
- urinary urgency
- frequency with urination
- pain with urination
- pain or pressure with bladder filling
What treatments are available for managing symptoms and pain?
Addressing endometriosis of the bladder can include surgical excision with an expert surgeon like those we have at PRM. However, the PRM Protocol™️ is a less invasive, non-surgical option to treat bladder symptoms by directly reducing the inflammation in the pelvis.
Some patients will find relief with the PRM Protocol™️ alone, and some may find that they need excision surgery as well.
Learn more about endometriosis excision surgery
How can I prepare for my doctor appointment to discuss my symptoms?
Keeping a “diary” of your symptoms can be really helpful for both you and your medical team. Being able to identify the frequency and intensity of your symptoms, as well as any triggers for your symptoms, will help your team assess the issues more thoroughly.
Schedule an appointment to discuss your pain and symptoms today
