The organs inside a woman’s pelvis (these include the uterus, bladder and the rectum) are normally secured in their place by ligaments and muscles otherwise known as the pelvic floor. If these supportive structures are damaged by overstretching, the pelvic organs can bulge (or prolapse) from their natural position down into the vagina. When this occurs it is known as pelvic organ prolapse. Sometimes a prolapse can be significant enough to protrude outside the vagina.
What is pelvic organ prolapse ?
Pelvic organ prolapse is quite a common health problem. The term ‘Pelvic Organ Prolapse’ generally refers to one or more of the organs in the pelvis moving downward from their usual positions.
What are the risk factors for Pelvic Organ Prolapse ?
- Pregnancy and laborious child births are huge contributing factors of damage to the pelvic floor, especially if labour was intensive and prolonged, or if the baby was large. The probabilities of prolapsed is related to the number of childbirths as well. After childbirth, it is advisable to perform pelvic floor exercises to prevent prolapses.
- The older you get, the more chances of prolapse, especially after menopause.
- Obesity also weakens the pelvic floor.
- Chronic constipation, unrelenting coughing or long-standing heavy lifting can strain the pelvic floor.
- After hysterectomy, the vaginal support can be compromised, causing a vault prolapse.
- Sometimes, some people develop prolapsed more than others.
- Often it is many factors that cause a prolapse.
What are the types of pelvic organ prolapse ?
These are of three basic types.
- Anterior vaginal prolapse: It is the anterior vaginal wall that supports and holds the bladder. If the vagina moves out of place, the bladder also moves. This kind of prolapse is known as a cystocele. This anterior vaginal wall prolapse greatly affects function of the bladder. Urinary symptoms include difficulty in urinating, incomplete emptying of bladder, overactive or hyper bladder symptoms like urine leak whilst coughing, sneezing, laughing hard, or even exercising.
- Posterior vaginal prolapse: The posterior vaginal wall supports and holds the rectum (where the stool is stored daily). When the posterior vaginal wall weakens, the rectum can prolapsed. This prolapse is the rectocele.
Posterior vaginal wall prolapse make stool and bowel movements pretty difficult, since forcing the stool down makes the rectum swell forward, rather than pushing out the stool. - Uterine prolapse: The third type of prolapsed is when the uterus hangs down, into the vagina. Finally the uterus can protrude outside the body. This is called a third-degree prolapse.
What are the clinical features of pelvic organ prolapse ?
Mild prolapse often causes no symptoms and treatment is also not always necessary. But, prolapse definitely can affect the quality of life by causing discomfort or heaviness. Bladder trouble, bowel problems and sexual activity may also be affected.
How is pelvic organ prolapse diagnosed ?
- A complete physical examination of the body is mandatory.
- A prolapse is easily diagnosed with a vaginal examination. Your gynaecologist will put a speculum (that is a plastic or metal instrument, to split the vaginal walls and see cervix and vagina) to note which organ or organs are prolapsing.
- A pelvic ultrasonography may also have to be performed to study the pelvis.
How is pelvic organ prolapse treated ?
Mild prolapse will cause no symptoms and treatment usually is not always necessary, especially if there are no worrisome symptoms. In non-surgical or medical treatment, a pessary (that is a removable device placed in vagina to give support to the pelvic organs) may have to be used. Surgery to correct the position of the organs and hold them in that place is an additional way to correct prolapse. If surgery is recommended, your doctor will educate you on risks and benefits.
What is the care to be taken after the removal of a pelvic organ prolapse ?
Prolapse can be reduced with various lifestyle interventions interventions including stopping smoking, weight loss, exercise and preventing constipation, as well as totally avoiding activities like heavy lifting that worsen prolapse.
How to find gynecologists for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse ?
Now you can find gynecologists for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple gynecologists, get approximate cost for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a gynecologist for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
Find and choose a gynecologist for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
