Prolapse

Everything You Need to Know About Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse | Symptoms | Cause | When to See | Complications | Treatments | What to expect | Lifestyle

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

The pelvic organ prolapse means when the organs forming a cover or floor to the pelvic area, dropdown. Most women are affected by this. The muscles surrounding the pelvic organs hold them in the right place but due to some problems, they might undergo flexing and stretching. Pelvic organs include – rectum, vagina, uterus. If there is a pelvic floor disorder then one or more of these organs might stop working properly. There are certain effects of pelvic floor disorder, which include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary inconsistency, and anal problems.

When the pelvic organs come down into or outside the anus or vaginal canal, it is given the following names

• Uterine prolapse
• Urethrocele
• Vaginal prolapse
• Cystocele
• Enterocele
• Rectocele

Symptoms of pelvic prolapse

It is hard to notice any symptom in particular. The symptoms are not universal i.e. they vary according to the organ affected. If you remain very careful then you may notice the possible signs.

• Lower back pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation
• Feeling unnecessary pressure in the pelvic area
• Problems related to urination
• Problems like blood clotting or spotting during menstruation

Cause of pelvic organ prolapse

This is primarily caused when you put more pressure on the midsection of your body or the abdomen. There are a few specified causes like,

• Hysterectomy – It refers to the removal of the uterus through surgery.
• Cancer in pelvic organ- that causes constant disturbance in the abdominal area.
• Obesity – it can be one of the major reasons as your body encounters flexing and stretching or fat formation in the pelvic area.
• Long-term problems related to Coughing- that can put excessive pressure on your lower abdomen leading to loosening of the muscles.
• Weaker tissues connecting the organs
• Chronic constipation
• Giving birth at a young age because the body parts are not yet ready.

Pay a visit to doctor

If you see any of these signs then there is surely some trouble. So it should be a call enough to visit a doctor. Your doctor may suggest some more tests to find out the real deal.

• CT scan of the pelvis
• Ultrasound of the pelvis
• X-ray of the urinary tract
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is suggested

Complications in pelvic organ prolapse

There can be complications due to this. But these are not life-threatening. Complications are primarily related to

• Pregnancy
• Fecal waste disposal
• Infection in the urinary bladder (because of obstruction in urination)
• Kidney problem, because of the problem in the bladder.

You should consult your doctor in such extreme cases.

Treatment Options For Urogynecology

How it is treated?

There are several ways to treat the problem. It includes therapies and surgical methods as well.

• Behavioural Treatment
• Mechanical Treatment
• Surgical Treatment

Non-Surgical treatment

It includes Behavioural treatment and Mechanical Treatment. The former involves doing such exercises as Kegel exercise, which would strengthen the pelvic muscles. While the second type involves providing artificial support to the organs. For example, a device called a pessary can be inserted into the vagina to provide support.

Surgical treatment

There are two types of surgery for treating this problem

• Obliterative surgery
• Reconstructive surgery

The first one is a major decision. It leads to obliteration or elimination of the vaginal opening to provide support to other pelvic orangs.

The second one ensures a reconstruction of the organs by putting them back in their place through an incision in the abdomen or the vagina. There is a vast range of reconstructive surgery. For example,

• In one type, your organ is fixed with the help of your tissues where the part which is prolapsed is attached to any of the pelvic ligament.
• The second type is called sacrohystropexy. If you want to avoid a hysterectomy then this is the way to go. This treats uterine prolapse in the best way possible. After attaching a surgical mesh to the cervix, the uterus gets pushed upward.
• The third is the colporrhaphy. In it, the vagina is stitched in such a way that the front wall and the back wall get strengthened.
• Another one is known as sacrocolpooexy. This is done to treat the prolapse in the vaginal vault. It is done either with laparoscopy or by attaching a surgical mesh to the walls of the vagina and the tail bone (sacrum).

Expectations after surgery

You can expect a smooth life after surgery. It will solve problems related to pregnancy and other major issues. Doctors advise undergoing the treatment as a permanent solution.

Restrictions after prolapse surgery and Recovery

• Driving
• Heavy exercise

The drip is removed after twenty-four hours. There might be some bleeding in the vagina which can be prevented by using gauze. It is removed only when the bleeding stops. Doctors advise resting for a minimum of three to five weeks. After that, you can be back to a normal lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes after surgery

Your main focus should be on maintaining a proper diet as constipation is common. You should drink a lot of water. Healthy eating like fruits and vegetables can cause you a speedy recovery.

You should avoid doing anything which would put pressure on your pelvic area. You can rely on laxatives and gentle exercises only with the permission of your doctor.

The problem may seem to be a major one but once you decide to face it, you get a solution. You need a positive mindset to fight such diseases.