Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse

A woman’s body goes through many changes over the years. As a consequence, her pelvic floor muscles can weaken and lead to pelvic organ prolapse.

Trauma caused by several vaginal births and surgery can damage the tissues that support the uterus, vagina, gallbladder, and rectum. When the tissues that support these organs become damaged or stretched, the organs collapse from their normal position and push against the vaginal wall. 

Estimates suggest that up to 50% of women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse at some point in their lives, but only a fraction experience severe symptoms. 

We asked our expert at NUWA WORLD, Dr. Uzoma Nwaubani, to explain what can cause your symptoms, what prevention measures you can take, and how you can get treatment for pelvic organ prolapse.

Different types of organ prolapse 

Organ prolapse is categorized by the type of organ it affects. The most common types of organ prolapse are:

• Dropped bladder 
• Dropped uterus 
• Rectal 

Depending on the type of prolapse you have, you may experience a bulge or feeling that something is coming out of your vagina, or pressure, aching, and a feeling of fullness in your pelvic area. You may also experience leaking urine or stool or constipation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, let us know. Getting a diagnosis is easy. You may be asked to cough or strain to see if there are leaks or prolapse occurs when putting pressure on the pelvis.

Pelvic organ prolapse prevention

Although you can’t control your genetics or the hormonal changes that come with aging, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Maintain a healthy body fat percentage 
• Prevent constipation by eating a healthy diet 
• Avoid lifting heavy weights unless instructed by a professional

Even if you already exhibit symptoms of a pelvic organ prolapse, you can still benefit from taking these steps.

Pelvic organ prolapse treatment options

Pelvic organ prolapse can hurt and it can lead to discomfort and social isolation. Many women end up skipping social events due to incontinence caused by pelvic organ prolapse. 

Fortunately, under medical supervision, there are many ways to manage your condition, including:

• Physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
• Medications to manage pain
• Warm baths and yoga 
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Pelvic floor reconstruction 

No matter the cause, we can help. If you’re experiencing signs of pelvic organ prolapse, call our office in Wildwood, Florida, or schedule an appointment online today.