Pelvic Prolapse

As women age, their risk of developing pelvic prolapse increases. Pelvic prolapse occurs when pelvic muscles weaken and organs in the pelvic area, such as the bladder, urethra, small intestine or rectum drop into the vagina.

Causes and Symptoms of Pelvic Prolapse

While many factors contribute to pelvic prolapse, the process often begins with a woman vaginally delivering a baby.

When the baby travels through the birth canal, it stretches the pelvic support system. This stretching becomes more pronounced with each delivery. Other contributors to pelvic prolapse are smoking, chronic bronchitis, obesity, diabetes and a family history of prolapse.

Years after childbirth, loss of muscle tone and relaxation of muscles due to menopause and natural aging can cause prolapse to progress and cause symptoms. Symptoms of prolapse may include:

• Incontinence
• Difficulty having a bowel movement
• Pain during intercourse
• Heaviness, aching or a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen.

In severe cases, the cervix or other internal organs may actually bulge through the opening of the vagina.

Prevention and Treatment

Request an appointment with a gynecologist

Just as it is important to keep up with general health screenings, pelvic prolapse prevention should begin early in a woman’s life. Many of the actions you can take will have a positive effect on your general health. Pelvic floor strengthening exercises, better known as Kegel exercises, along with general exercise and a healthy diet are important. Women who smoke should quit. Smoking can further inhibit your body’s ability to use estrogen, which can hasten collagen loss. Collagen helps the connective tissue of the pelvis stretch.

Nonsurgical treatments such as pessaries, which are plastic devices placed inside the vagina, also may help support the internal organs and reduce prolapse symptoms.

But if prolapse is severely disrupting your life, you may want to talk to your doctor about pelvic reconstructive surgery. Complications are uncommon, with high success rates and with many procedures now done vaginally instead of through abdominal incision, hospital stays and recovery time for most women are greatly decreased.

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