Women's Health

Did exercise cause my prolapsed bladder?

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Ask the doctors

I was recently diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder. The doctor said it could be due to too much exercise. I've been exercising for more than 40 years and wonder if this is more likely to be age-related. Should people worry about exercise causing this problem?

Prolapse occurs when the muscles and connective tissue that make up the area known as the pelvic floor become weak or are injured and can no longer hold the bladder or other pelvic organs in place. Most often this weakening is caused by childbirth, but getting older and being overweight are other risk factors. Some tendency for this is inherited, too.

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