What is pelvic organ prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is a type of pelvic floor disorder that occurs when the muscles and tissues that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum, weaken. The weak muscles cause one or more of your pelvic organs to fall out of position and drop down into your vagina.
The type of pelvic prolapse you have depends on which organ collapses:
Cystocele
Cystocele is the most common form of pelvic organ prolapse and occurs when your bladder drops down into your vagina.
Rectocele
Rectocele is a type of pelvic organ prolapse that occurs when your rectum drops into or bulges out of your vagina.
Uterine prolapse
Uterine prolapse describes a dropped uterus that bulges into or out of your vagina.
You may be at increased risk for pelvic organ prolapse as you age, if you gave birth vaginally, or if you’re obese. You may also develop pelvic prolapse during menopause, the time when your periods stop for good due to the loss of estrogen hormones.
When should I seek treatment for pelvic prolapse?
Pressure from your pelvic organs can cause a bulge in your vagina that you may feel or even see. You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation for pelvic prolapse if you feel or see the bulge or if you have symptoms like:
- Pelvic pressure or discomfort
- Difficulties inserting tampons
- Urine leakage (urinary incontinence)
- Worsening pelvic pain after coughing or standing
The providers at The Women's Center offer pelvic exams to identify prolapse in your pelvic organs. They examine your reproductive organs to assess the severity of your prolapse and determine the best course of treatment for your condition.
How is pelvic prolapse treated?
Your treatment for pelvic prolapse may start with dietary changes to prevent constipation and reduce the frequency of urine leakage. You may also need pelvic floor therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your pelvic floor.
If you have a severe prolapse where an organ is protruding from your vaginal canal, your provider at The Women’s Center may recommend surgery. The physicians offer minimally invasive, outpatient surgery to correct the prolapse.
During your procedure, your surgeon repositions your organs and uses synthetic materials or your body’s own tissue to create a new support system to hold them in place.
To find out if you’re a candidate for surgery to repair pelvic prolapse, request an appointment at The Women’s Center, PC, through the online booking tool, or call the office nearest you today.
