blærecompliance

Blærecompliance refers to the bladder's ability to store urine effectively. It describes how the bladder wall stretches to accommodate increasing volumes of urine as it fills. During the filling phase, the bladder's detrusor muscle, which is the main muscle of the bladder wall, should relax. This relaxation allows the bladder to expand without a significant increase in pressure. Good bladder compliance is crucial for comfortable urine storage and for preventing sensations of urgency that are too strong or too early.

Reduced bladder compliance, often termed stiff bladder, means the bladder wall is less able to stretch. This can lead to a smaller functional bladder capacity, increased urinary frequency, and a greater likelihood of experiencing sudden, strong urges to urinate. Conditions that can affect bladder compliance include chronic bladder inflammation, neurological disorders affecting bladder control, and certain surgical interventions. Conversely, excessively high compliance, though less common, could lead to incomplete bladder emptying. Assessing bladder compliance is typically done through urodynamic studies, which measure bladder pressures and volumes during filling and voiding. Understanding bladder compliance helps in diagnosing and managing various lower urinary tract symptoms.