Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the structures supporting your pelvic organs — including your bladder, cervix, uterus, and rectum — can no longer adequately support one or more of those organs. Pelvic organ prolapse affects about 3% of women in the United States.
When you have pelvic organ prolapse, your tissues and muscles cannot always hold your organs in place because they have become weak or damaged. As a result, the organs may drop, or prolapse, into your vagina.
Vaginal childbirth is the most common cause of pelvic organ prolapse. But it is not the only cause. Women who have not been pregnant or had a vaginal birth can also develop pelvic organ prolapse.
If you’re wondering why that may happen, Susan Crockett, MD, and our team of care providers at Virtuosa GYN in San Antonio, Texas, would like to explain. Dr. Crockett invites you to read on to learn more.
Pressure in your pelvis
When pelvic organ prolapse occurs, you may experience a range of symptoms. These can include:
- A feeling of heaviness or pressure in your pelvic area or abdomen
- A sensation that something is protruding into your vagina
- Pelvic discomfort during and after standing, exercise, or exertion
In some cases, a pelvic organ may prolapse so far that it protrudes out from the opening of your vagina.
You may also experience symptoms such as incontinence or discomfort related to urination or bowel movement. And some women become aware of pelvic prolapse when they struggle to be able to insert a tampon.
Causes of pelvic organ prolapse
As mentioned earlier, vaginal childbirth is a common cause of pelvic organ prolapse because pressure from pushing out a baby can weaken or damage these supporting structures.
Beyond childbirth, other factors that can lead to pressure, damage, or weakening of the support structures in your pelvis include:
- Aging
- Non-gynecological conditions that increase pressure in your abdomen, such as a chronic cough or chronic constipation
- Family history of pelvic organ prolapse
- Hormonal changes related to menopause
- Obesity
- Pelvic surgery such as hysterectomy
Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse
No matter what has caused your pelvic organ prolapse, we can help. When you come to our practice, you receive an evaluation to gauge the condition of your pelvic organs and the extent of their prolapse.
Then we create a personalized treatment plan aimed at relieving your symptoms and addressing your prolapse. Depending on the specifics of your condition, Dr. Crockett may recommend one or more of the following:
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Increased dietary fiber, if your condition is related to chronic constipation
- Weight loss, if your condition is related to obesity
- Quitting smoking, if your condition is related to chronic coughing
- A pessary, which is a device that provides pelvic support when inserted into the vagina
- Vaginal estrogen
- Pelvic surgery
Support for your pelvic prolapse
Don’t put up with pelvic prolapse discomfort any longer. Contact us for an appointment at our San Antonio, Texas, office. We look forward to working with yo
