Spring’s warmer weather and access to fresh fruit and vegetables make it the ideal season to start

Spring is a season for new beginnings, so Dr. J. Kyle Mathews wants to remind women that adopting a healthy lifestyle can help them to prevent pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse develops when the connective tissue, or fascia, that supports pelvic organs—including the uterus, vagina, bladder, small bowel and rectum—weakens or stretches, causing one or more of these organs to fall or prolapse.

Spring blooms with opportunities for change

Certain risk factors, such as age and vaginal childbirth, cannot be changed, but others can be affected by the choices a woman makes. Dr. Mathews would like to urge women to commit to exercise and a healthy diet. Healthy habits help with two of the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse.

Obesity

When you’re overweight, those extra pounds put an unhealthy level of stress on the pelvic floor, so regular exercise helps you to reach or maintain a healthy weight.

Eating a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, which are widely available during the spring and summer months, can help you reach or maintain that all-important healthy weight as well.

Constipation

Constipation is another risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse because when women strain to have a bowel movement, it can damage or weaken the fascia and muscle tissue that support the pelvic floor and pelvic organs.

Regular exercise will help your bowels work normally, preventing constipation.

A high-fiber diet, one that includes lots of healthy fruits, vegetables and grains, is another important part of preventing constipation.

Spring is in the air—smoke shouldn’t be

Dr. Mathews hopes that women will make one more very important change this spring that could not only prevent pelvic organ prolapse, but also change their lives—QUIT SMOKING!

Smoking is a risk factor for many different health problems; in addition, it puts women at risk for pelvic organ prolapse because a chronic smoker’s cough and the resulting straining can cause or even accelerate pelvic organ prolapse.

Dr. Mathews and the caring staff at Plano Urogynecology Associates are here to help you deal with pelvic organ prolapse, whatever the season outside and whatever your season of life. To make an appointment at our North Dallas area office, contact us.

| Category: Dr JKM, Pelvic Organ Prolapse |