A prolapse is not life threatening, but it can cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms can usually be improved with pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes, but sometimes medical treatment is needed.
An untreated prolapse can cause sores on the cervix (opening to the uterus) and increase chances of infection or injury to other pelvic organs.
Many women contend with pelvic floor problems, including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse -- when pelvic organs drop due to weakened muscles and tissues.
How serious is a prolapsed uterus? Uterine prolapse can disrupt normal activities and be uncomfortable. Very mild cases may not require treatment or cause any discomfort. However, severe cases may make it difficult to pee or have a normal bowel movement.
Feeling like the bladder doesn't empty all the way when you use the bathroom. Problems with leaking urine, also called incontinence. Trouble having a bowel movement and needing to press the vagina with your fingers to help have a bowel movement. Feeling as if you're sitting on a small ball.
For some women, their prolapse gets worse over time. For others, their prolapse will stay the same with conservative treatment options.
Consider surgery if the prolapse is causing pain, if you are having problems with your bladder and bowels, or if the prolapse is making it hard for you to do activities you enjoy. An organ can prolapse again after surgery. Surgery in one part of your pelvis can make a prolapse in another part worse.
If you have pelvic organ prolapse, avoid things that could make it worse. That means don't lift, strain, or pull. If possible, try not to be on your feet for long periods of time. Some women find that they feel more pressure when they stand a lot.
The weakening of these ligaments allows for the prolapse of the uterus into the vaginal vault. Although uterine prolapse is not inherently life-threatening, it can lead to sexual dysfunction, poor body image, and lower quality of life due to associated bowel or bladder incontinence.
Women with mild symptoms may not need surgery for their pelvic organ prolapse.. There are two main nonsurgical options for treating pelvic organ prolapse: Pessaries and kegel exercises. A pessary is a rubber or plastic donut-shaped device that you insert into your vagina, sort of like vaginal contraceptive diaphragms.
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the pelvic organs (your womb, bladder or bowel) slip from their usual position. This causes the vaginal wall to bulge into, or out of, the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse isn't life-threatening. In some cases it can cause little or no problems.
Self-care measures might provide relief from symptoms or help prevent the prolapse from getting worse. Self-care measures include performing exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles. These are called Kegel exercises. You might also benefit from losing weight and treating constipation.
Uterine prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissue in your pelvis weaken. The weakness lets the uterus drop down into your vagina. Sometimes, it comes out through your vaginal opening. Nearly half of all women between ages 50 and 79 have this condition.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Proper nutrition and exercise can help manage symptoms of uterine prolapse by putting less stress on the pelvic muscles and keeping as much tone as possible. Avoid Heavy Lifting: Heavy lifting can aggravate symptoms of uterine prolapse and strain supportive pelvic structures.
Over time, however, the muscles and ligaments supporting your vagina may continue to weaken, so without treatment the prolapse could get worse. Because of that, it is important to follow up with your health care provider as time goes on to monitor your symptoms and the severity of the prolapse.
The good news is that MOST exercise is generally safe, even when you have a prolapse. Now, life everything in life there is a catch. You and I may be similar in a lot of ways, but we are also both different. So what works (and doesn't work) for me, may actually work for you.
Degrees of uterine prolapse
Stage I – the uterus is in the upper half of the vagina. Stage II – the uterus has descended nearly to the opening of the vagina. Stage III – the uterus protrudes out of the vagina. Stage IV – the uterus is completely out of the vagina.
Can The Uterine Prolapse Be Treated Without Hysterectomy? A Resounding YES! Many gynecologists feel the best way to treat a falling uterus is to remove it, with a surgery called a hysterectomy, and then attach the apex of the vagina to healthy portions of the ligaments up inside the body.
Will Sex Feel the Same for My Partner? It is very difficult for anyone who's not a gynaecologist to see or feel a prolapse. You may feel like it's the most prominent part of your body because you are so focused on it at the moment, but rest assured that your partner will be far more interested in the rest of your body.
What type of exercise is best for pelvic organ prolapse? Aerobic exercises three to five times a week (walking, cycling, swimming etc). Aerobic exercise helps your cardiovascular system, muscles, tendons and ligaments to stay strong and will also help you maintain to the correct weight (BMI) for your height and age.
The longer you sit during the day, the more pressure you exert on the “hammock,” causing damage to your pelvic floor. This can lead to: Pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic organ prolapse.
You'll be asleep during the operation and you will usually need to stay in hospital for 1 to 3 days afterwards. A few women have had serious complications after mesh surgery. Some, but not all, of these complications can also happen after other types of surgery.
The main alternative to surgery for prolapse is a vaginal pessary. A vaginal pessary is a device, usually round in shape, that is placed in the vagina and supports the pelvic organs (vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum). If you choose to try a vaginal pessary Dr Carey will fit the pessary in the consulting room.
The length of operative time for laparoscopic colposuspension can vary greatly (3-5 hours) from patient to patient depending on the internal anatomy, shape of the pelvis, weight of the patient, and presence of scarring or inflammation in the pelvis due to infection or prior abdominal/pelvic surgery.