Having a prolapsed bladder can be a deeply uncomfortable experience, as it can cause prolonged discomfort and pain that you can often find yourself unable to escape from.
If you’ve experienced a prolapsed bladder for yourself, you’ll likely understand that sitting or standing in certain positions can be a great way to bring yourself temporary relief from the condition.
But this then raises the question of how you can sleep comfortably when suffering from a prolapsed bladder.
How can you sleep just right, in a position that won’t cause you pain and discomfort as you drift off? How do you ensure that you can stay in that position so that you won’t be shocked awake by striking pains?
If you’re desperate to achieve some relief from the condition as you head to sleep, then you have come to the right place, because today I am going to show you how to sleep with a prolapsed bladder, so you can get all of the rest you need at the end of the day.
Why Is It So Uncomfortable To Sleep With A Prolapsed Bladder?
One of the reasons you may suffer from extra discomfort while sleeping or reclining is because of the effects of gravity.
Naturally, when you sleep, your body will be pulled, by gravity, towards the bed, and this even applies to some of your internal organs, including the bladder.
If you sleep in just the wrong position, then your bladder may be pressed against more by the vaginal wall.
You may also find that if your bladder experiences discomfort during the night, it will become stimulated, which will make you need to go to the bathroom, interrupting your sleep.
How Should You Sleep When You Have A Prolapsed Bladder?
If you find that one sleeping position is just too uncomfortable during the night, it’s best to experiment with other positions until you find one that is comfortable for you, while also relieving pressure on the bladder.
Let’s take a look at some positions that have helped to bring relief to many sufferers.
Sleeping On Your Side
Sleeping on your side can be a great way to relieve pressure on the bladder as you sleep. Sleeping on the side is also a comfortable position to maintain throughout the night, allowing you to maintain your slumber consistently.
If you want to make sleeping on your side more comfortable, then I recommend taking a pillow, and placing it between your legs as you sleep.
Doing this helps to alleviate some of the pressure that can otherwise develop when the bladder and the pelvic area push against one another.
You can also place the pillow between your legs in a lengthwise position, which aligns the hips and the pelvis. This has the effect of lessening the pressure on the pelvic floor, which helps to relieve pain.
Sleeping On Your Back
Though many would assume that sleeping on the back would cause (see also: Can Sleep Apnea Cause Anxiety?)the discomfort of a prolapsed bladder to flare up, it can actually be a very comfortable position for many.
When sleeping on your back, take a pillow, and place it just under your knees. This will cause your legs to be slightly elevated, which takes the pressure off of the pelvic floor.
You will also want to make sure that the pillow behind your head is placed in just the right way.
You don’t want to let the pillow be too high or too low, because this can then cause your neck and back to strain, so you’ll wake up with a backache!
If you find that placing a pillow beneath your knees doesn’t bring enough relief, you can also place a small pillow, or a rolled-up towel just under the small of your back, which will lift the pelvic floor a little higher, bringing that extra relief.
How Do You Relieve Pain From A Prolapsed Bladder During The Day?
As you go about your day, you will want to make sure to relieve pressure from your pelvic floor.
As you recover from the condition, you will want to avoid engaging in heavy lifting, because this can directly stimulate the bladder and make the discomfort worse by the time you head to bed.
There are also numerous pelvic floor exercises that you can engage with that help you strengthen your pelvic floor so that you will have much greater control over your bladder.
This will help you to relax the bladder, while also helping you to manage the feeling of needing to head to the bathroom.
Make sure that you also do not consume too many fluids before heading to bed, as these will naturally cause your bladder to be stimulated, making you need to get up, and interrupt your sleep schedule.
To Wrap Up
There you have it.
Though suffering from a prolapsed bladder can often feel totally helpless, and you can often feel as though you are without relief, following these tips can easily help you to get a good night’s sleep, and help yourself to slowly recover.
Make sure that you sleep in a relaxing environment that is calm and dark so that your mind is not stimulated, which can help to distract the mind from any discomfort felt by the bladder.
Make sure to also take good care of your bladder throughout the day, so that your bladder does not experience any added discomfort that can then interrupt your sleep schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Resting Help A Prolapse?
Absolutely. While specific exercises can help you to recover from a prolapse, you will want to make sure to balance it with plenty of rest, to ensure that it is able to recover well.
Is Sitting Bad For Prolapse?
While sitting itself is not bad for a prolapse, you will want to make sure to not sit for too long, so that pressure does not continue to build up on the pelvic floor.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
