Pelvic Organ Prolapse, the dropping of uterus, urinary bladder, vagina, & rectum is a very common condition.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse may or may not be associated with symptoms. The organs involved in the prolapse may be one or all of the above listed.
These conditions occur because of a weakened or damaged pelvic muscle floor, which can no longer support the organs in their proper positions. The treatments for these conditions have undergone remarkable advances in the past few years.
“Unfortunately, many physicians today still treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse with techniques that are approaching 100 years old. Failure rates with these older techniques are high, approaching 50%, with up a third of women requiring a second operation.” J. Kyle Mathews, MD, Plano OB Gyn Associates / Plano Urogynecology Associates
The Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse many and may include:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Uterine Fibroids
- Hysterectomy
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Menopause
- Chronic Diseases of the Respiratory (chronic cough) and GI (chronic constipation) tracks
- Chronic heavy lifting
Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse is by History, Ultrasound Imaging, and Physical exam.
Many women will have some degree of Pelvic Organ Prolapse as they get older. It may present as increasing pressure in the pelvis, difficulty emptying your bladder, or constipation. While Pelvic Organ Prolapse is not generally life threatening, it can certainly be life altering. Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a general term that may involve the urinary bladder, uterus, vagina, small bowel, rectum, or urethra.
Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse will be based on which pelvic organs are involved, the extent of prolapse, and the patients wishes. Non surgical options include pelvic floor muscle physical therapy, and pessary use. Surgical correction of Pelvic Organ Prolapse had made major advancements with the use of minimally invasive techniques such as the use of the da Vinci surgical robotic system allowing patients to return to normal life activities sooner than older treatment approaches.
Don’t let Pelvic Organ Prolapse affect your quality of life. We are here to help.