Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when pelvic floor muscles and tissues weaken, causing pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum to bulge or descend into the vagina. This condition is common among women, especially after childbirth, menopause, or as they age. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatment is important for restoring normal function and alleviating symptoms associated with this condition.
Pelvic organ prolapse can happen to various pelvic organs:
The condition when the bladder drops into the vagina.
Bulging of the rectum into the back wall of the vagina.
Descent or sagging of the uterus into the vaginal canal.
Prolapse of the small intestine into the upper vaginal wall.
Descent of the top of the vagina after a hysterectomy.
Causes of pelvic organ prolapse might include:
Trauma during vaginal delivery can weaken pelvic floor muscles.
Natural aging processes can lead to muscle and tissue weakness.
Some individuals might have a genetic predisposition to developing Pelvic Organ Prolapse because they inherited a weaker pelvic floor.
Conditions leading to chronic coughing or obesity might increase the risk.
Overworking your pelvic muscles can cause them to weaken. This might happen because of chronic coughing and heavy lifting.
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse may include:
Sensation of something bulging into the vagina.
Especially during sexual intercourse or prolonged standing.
Incontinence or frequent urinary tract infections.
Difficulty having bowel movements or feeling like the rectum isn’t empty after a bowel movement.
Discomfort or pain during intercourse, decreased sensation, and difficulty achieving orgasm. These symptoms can affect intimacy and sexual pleasure, often leading to decreased sexual desire and impacting quality of life.
Risk factors contributing to pelvic organ prolapse include:
More common in older women and those who have had multiple vaginal births.
Reduced estrogen levels after menopause.
Conditions that strain the pelvic floor, like chronic coughing due to smoking or obesity.
Preventive measures might include:
Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding heavy lifting or straining.
Avoid heavy lifting and use proper techniques to reduce strain.
Diagnosis involves various methods:
Physical examinations to assess pelvic organ positioning.
Recording urinary habits to evaluate bladder function.
Imaging tests to visualize pelvic organ positions and extent of prolapse.
Treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse include:
Physical therapy to strengthen pelvic muscles.
Devices inserted into the vagina to support prolapsed organs.
Surgery to repair or lift prolapsed organs, especially in severe cases. Surgeries include hysterectomy, sacrocolpopexy, anterior & posterior repair.
Pessaries are devices that provide support and alleviate the symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. These supportive devices help lift and hold pelvic organs in place, reducing discomfort, urinary leakage, or pressure in the pelvic region.
Robotic surgery is an advanced minimally invasive technique used to address pelvic organ prolapse. This aims to effectively restore pelvic anatomy, alleviate symptoms, and shorten recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods.
Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, diagnoses and treats pelvic organ prolapse by using small incisions and specialized tools to repair pelvic support. It offers precise treatment with quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Open surgery for pelvic organ prolapse involves a traditional approach, using larger incisions to repair and reinforce pelvic support structures. While effective, it generally entails longer recovery times compared to minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic or robotic surgery.
Vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse involves repairing and strengthening pelvic structures through incisions made in the vaginal wall. This procedure aims to restore pelvic support, alleviate symptoms, and often leads to a quicker recovery compared to abdominal surgeries.
Sacrocolpopexy is a surgical procedure that involves attaching a mesh graft to the top of the vagina and connecting it to a stable structure in the pelvis, such as the sacrum. This aims to provide durable support for the vaginal vault, effectively treating vault prolapse and reducing the risk of recurrence.
Anterior repair addresses prolapse of the front vaginal wall, while posterior repair targets prolapse of the back vaginal wall. These procedures involve tightening and reinforcing weakened tissues in their respective areas, restoring vaginal support and alleviating related symptoms such as discomfort or bulging.
In cases of severe pelvic organ prolapse, hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the uterus to address the prolapse and associated symptoms. This procedure aims to alleviate pressure on the pelvic floor and may be considered when other treatments have not provided relief.
Address: Room 1005, Medical Plaza, 100 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City
Operating Hours:
Mon, wed, & Fri: 9am to 5pm
Tues, Thurs & Sat: 12:45 pm to 2 pm
Phone: Peanut -09228253266
Email: slgcrm629@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2024 Dr. Jenny Jose
All Rights Reserved
Designed by: DesignLabs+
