Educating women, we feel, is important when helping them chose a treatment plan for prolapse. A patient’s activity level, treatment preferences, age, sexual activity and general medical health are important in creating a treatment plan with your physician.
Changes in the female anatomy occur along the spectrum of ages. We aim to help women better understand the changes they are experiencing with their bodies.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a weakness in the ligaments and supporting tissue of the pelvis that can lead to bulging of pelvic organs. A vaginal hernia occurs as the tissue weakens. The herniated tissue contains bladder (cystocele), rectum (rectocele), small intestine (vaginal vault or enterocele) or uterus (uterine prolapse). Often many of these occur together.
Pelvic organ prolapse can greatly impact a woman’s quality of life, but is rarely harmful to her general medical health. A woman with pelvic organ prolapse might notice difficulty and discomfort having a bowel movement or urinating. Treatment does not always require surgery. Many women chose observation if they are not experiencing bothersome symptoms. Those that have bothersome symptoms may chose from non-surgical or surgical treatments.