What Every Woman Should Know About Pelvic Organ Prolapse 

Many women experience pelvic organ prolapse, but it often goes undiagnosed. Our team of expert providers at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates encourages you to speak up if you’re concerned about any gynecologic issue, including pelvic organ prolapse.

In the meantime, read on to learn what every woman should know about pelvic organ prolapse.

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues that support your pelvic organs weaken. Your pelvic organs include your uterus, bladder, and rectum. When any of these organs drop from their normal position (because of a weakened pelvic floor), it’s known as a prolapse. 

You might suspect you have pelvic organ prolapse if you spot any of these symptoms: 

• A feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvic area
• A bulge or lump in your vagina
• Difficulty with urination or bowel movements
• Pain during intercourse
• Lower back pain
• Spotting or bleeding

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait for them to worsen before reaching out for help. There are treatments for prolapse that help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

There are several risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse

Several factors can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse, such as:

Childbirth

Childbirth itself doesn’t cause prolapse, but vaginal deliveries, especially multiple or difficult births, can weaken your pelvic floor muscles. When your muscles are weakened, you’re at a higher risk for developing pelvic organ prolapse.

Aging

As you age, your muscles naturally lose strength and elasticity. In addition to the natural loss of tissue elasticity, decreased estrogen levels during menopause can affect muscle tone. 

Constant straining

Conditions like chronic constipation or heavy lifting can put extra pressure on your pelvic organs. The added pressure from constantly straining to pass stool can lead to a posterior vaginal prolapse and rectocele. 

Having a high body mass index (BMI)

Excess weight can strain pelvic floor muscles and fascia. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of pelvic organ prolapse (and other conditions!).

You’ve got plenty of treatment options

If you have pelvic organ prolapse, there are several treatment options available, including both lifestyle changes and medical treatments.

At-home treatments

Lifestyle modifications, such as eating a balanced diet (especially foods rich in fiber), losing weight (if needed), and avoiding heavy lifting, can go a long way in helping both prevent and manage pelvic organ prolapse. 

If you need to lift items (such as a large bag of dog food), use assistive tools such as two-wheeled carts. If constipation contributes to pelvic floor issues, consider eating more fiber-rich foods to make passing stool easier.

You can also perform Kegel exercises at home to strengthen your pelvic floor. Kegels can help with prolapse and incontinence.

Medical treatments

If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to manage your symptoms, you’re not out of options. Your Mariette OB-GYN Affiliates provider can also recommend:

• A silicone or plastic pessary
• Physical therapy 
• Surgery to repair your pelvic floor 

Even with a pessary or surgery, continue to adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, eating well-balanced meals, and practicing Kegels.

You’re not alone!

The most important thing that every woman needs to know about pelvic organ prolapse is that you’re not alone! Pelvic organ prolapse affects about 3% of American women, according to the Office of Women’s Health. This number, however, may be higher if women don’t report their symptoms to their OB-GYNs. Cleveland Clinic estimates it might be as high as 11% of women.

Some women also develop multiple pelvic floor disorders at the same time (e.g., prolapse and incontinence). 

Help for pelvic organ prolapse is just a call or click away

Whether you’re dealing with one symptom of pelvic organ prolapse or several of them, know that our team is here to help. 

To learn more about your options, call your nearest location — either Marietta or Powder Springs, Georgia — or use our convenient online scheduler.