As women have babies and advance in years, sometimes the uterus and/or vagina lose support and they start falling down. We are seeing a tremendous increase in this condition as women are living longer and longer. Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition and offer you several options on how to treat it successfully.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Q & A
Am I at Risk for Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is common in women. The incidence increases after childbirth (vaginal delivery or operative vaginal delivery) and as women increase in age. Here are some other risk factors:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Menopause
- Anything that increases abdominal pressure such as coughing, heavy lifting, and straining from constipation
- Heredity- some women are born with weaker supporting tissues. Caucasians are more likely to develop prolapse than African Women.
- Pelvic floor injury- from vaginal, forceps or vacuum deliveries
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
- Heavy sensation in the vagina
- Pressure sensation
- Back of pelvic pain
- Difficulty with urination or bowel movement
- Discomfort with intercourse
- Bulging tissue outside the vagina
What Treatment Options Are Available?
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Physical therapy
- Electrical stimulation therapy
- Biofeedback
- Pessary- device that is placed inside the vagina in order to prevent bulging
- Surgery
If a surgical treatment is chosen, we will determine exactly what procedure is most appropriate for a given patient. Paul H. Eun, MD, at Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists is an experienced surgeon in the surgical management of the complex prolapse situations.