ONP Hospitals

Prolapse

Prolapse is more frequent in females who’ve had one or even more vaginal births, although it may also happen in females who’ve had C-sections or never even had a pregnancy. Prolapse may develop in postpartum females, either immediately after delivery or after they begin exercising again.

Menopause is a typical period for women to discover they have a prolapse. Estrogen has a direct effect on the pelvic organs, pelvic muscles, and related soft tissues. Prolapse is more likely when estrogen levels drop throughout menopause, and the pelvic organs lose stability.

Everything you need to know about Prolapse

What is Prolapse?

A prolapse develops when one or more pelvic organs, like the uterus, bladder, or rectum, protrude into the vaginal cavity. A prolapse may develop in any one of these regions or a combination of them. After some period, you may detect a bulge flowing out of the vaginal opening, or, in the event of the rectal prolapse, one may observe a bulge emerging out of the anus opening.

 

This screening further allows the urologist or the urinary tract specialist to obtain direct visualization of the urethral, urethra, bladder, urethral orifices, sphincter, and prostate with the help of various tools. Normally these are performed with the help of the hollow tube, also commonly known as the cystoscope, which holds a camera or viewing lenses in the end and provides magnified images of the inside parts. 

Symptoms

The majority of the time, a slight prolapse goes unnoticed. Only your doctor is likely to notice this. There may be signs such as a bulging or pressing sensation or objects falling out from the vagina if the prolapse has developed. In most cases, prolapse is not painful. On average, prolapse symptoms fluctuate depending on whether you’re coughing, moving, or doing anything else. In addition to fluctuating according to the time of the day, bowel and bladder capacity may also influence them. In females with prolapse, the urethral may become kinked, making it difficult for them to empty their bladders or pass bowel function.

Pelvic floor problems that females with prolapse may suffer include:

Causes

A prolapse happens whenever the pelvic floor and pelvic organs cannot sustain the pelvic organs sufficiently. A weaker pelvic floor and decreased pelvic organ function may result from pregnancy and delivery. This impact rises with more births, forceps usage, bigger infants, and labor that is longer. A rise in abdominal pressure may cause prolapse. Persistent coughing, chronic diarrhea, overweight, and hard lifting are all examples of symptoms.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a collagenous illness, might increase your risk of prolapse. The tissues that hold the pelvic organs in place are weakened in certain conditions, and as a result, they cannot offer appropriate support throughout time.

Treatment option Details

Pelvic organ prolapse has many therapeutic possibilities. They may be used independently or in unison.

Be patient and watchful

The first step is to monitor. This one is done for ladies who are unaware of their prolapse. If indeed the prolapse continues, they may need other treatment choices.

Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor Exercises

The second therapeutic choice is pelvic floor muscle workouts, both with and without physiotherapy supervision. A pelvic floor physio frequently addresses diarrhea. She may also help you modify your usual (non-pelvic floor) workout program to keep you engaged without exacerbating your prolapse. She can also assist you with urine or bowel problems, diarrhea, pelvic or sexual discomfort, and hyperactive bladder problems.

Estrogen vaginal

Menopausal women frequently use vaginal Estrogen ointment or pills. They may assist increase vaginal tissue stamina and wellbeing when combined with pessary or pelvic floor muscle exercise.

Pessary

A pessary is another therapy option. This is frequently combined alongside pelvic floor muscle training or physiotherapy. A pessary is vaginal support for a prolapse. Pessaries come in various sizes and forms. A gynecologist or urogynecologist fits them, while certain pelvic floor physiotherapists are trained to do just that. Some pessaries must be cleaned thoroughly by a doctor, while others may be withdrawn and re-injected by the patient. Some pessaries enable intercourse while in place, while others must be removed beforehand. Consult your physician if you experience discomfort, bleeding, or your pessary falls out. You may require a new pessary.

Surgery

Lastly, surgery is a possibility. It is the most intrusive therapeutic option and is usually considered after other treatments have failed. Risques abound in any enterprise. Inspect them with your surgeon. On may experience:

  • Prolapse corrects stress urine incontinence
  • Urinary urgency or recurrence worsening
  • Pain

Your gynecologist or urogynecologist may pick several operations for your prolapse. So many variables. Surgical options include hysterectomy, colpocleisis (vagina closure), or lifting and attaching your vagina or uterus to a ligament or bone (such as sacrocolpopexy or sacrospinous fixation), vaginal repair. Your doctor may suggest combining these elements. Colpocleisis is only indicated for women who have had past unsuccessful prolapse procedures, are in poor health, and no longer desire to be interested in sex.

Conclusion

Moreover, depending on the procedure, you may need to limit your movements for a while. Ensure this is the case for you. Question how long you anticipate being off work, the overall success, and the likelihood of a prolapse reappearance. Pregnancy is not advised after prolapse repair surgery.