Overview
Aging, childbirth, and excessive weight can put stress on the internal female organs and cause what is known as “pelvic organ prolapse”. If one part of the supportive network of muscles and ligaments in and around the vagina or bladder weakens, the organs inside the pelvis can fall, bulge or protrude into the vaginal canal. Dr. Nguyen can assess and treat pelvic organ prolapse. The various types of prolapse include:
- A cystocele occurs when the bladder bulges or drops into the vagina.
Reviews
Symptoms
- Discomfort or pressure when standing
- Discomfort during intercourse
- A feeling of heaviness or bulging into the vagina
- Something protruding from the vagina (often a smooth, round ball)
- Pulling or stretching in the pelvis
- Difficulty urinating, slow, intermittent stream or incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Incomplete emptying after bowel movements
Causes
Pelvic organ prolapse often happens with aging and after childbirth when the muscles and tissues of the vagina are weakened. However, it may also be caused by heavy lifting, chronic straining with constipation, chronic coughing, or having weak genetic tissue.
Treatment
Pessary - A pessary is a removable silicone device that can be fitted into the vagina to support the pelvic organ that is prolapsed.
Anterior Colporrhaphy (Anterior Repair) - A vaginal surgical procedure, known as an anterior colporrhaphy, is performed to fix a cystocele (dropped bladder) by repairing the wall between the vagina and the bladder. This can be done as an outpatient procedure. Mesh is typically not used for this procedure.
Posterior Colporrhaphy (Posterior Repair) - A Posterior Colporrhaphy is a surgical vaginal procedure to fix a rectocele (dropped rectum). It repairs the wall between the vagina and the rectum.
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE FAQS
Is Prolapse Preventable?
Since the cause of pelvic organ prolapse is still unclear, there’s no way to eliminate all risk. Doctors do advise maintaining a healthy weight, pelvic floor (kegel) exercises, eating plenty of fiber to avoid constipation and visiting your OBGYN for health check-ups on a regular basis.
How Serious Is Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is easier to fix if it is diagnosed and treated early. In the early stages, prolapse can be treated conservatively with pelvic floor exercises or physical therapy. Without treatment, the prolapse may worsen.
