Woman having osteoporosis and painful arthritis to her hands - Young person having bone ache in the hip area, possibly from pelvic floor prolapse.

What is Pelvic Floor Prolapse and How is it Treated?

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Pelvic floor prolapse, which may also be referred to as “pelvic organ prolapse,” affects women all over the United States. Below is some basic information about this condition.

Defining the Condition

Pelvic floor prolapse occurs when one or more of your pelvic organs fall or bulge into the vaginal canal. In the worst cases, these organs may even protrude from the vagina.

What are the Symptoms?

Some of the symptoms you may experience include:

  • Feelings of fullness or pressure in the vaginal canal.
  • Pain in the pelvic region.
  • Pain during intercourse.
  • Urinary and/or fecal incontinence.
  • Lower back pain.
  • Difficulty voiding the bowels completely.

Keep in mind that some women will not experience any symptoms.

Causes of Pelvic Floor Prolapse

This condition develops when the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic floor are no longer capable of holding your organs in place. Although it can occur in women who have never been pregnant, it is more common among women who have undergone natural childbirth. As the number of children delivered vaginally increases, the chances of developing pelvic floor prolapse increases as well. This condition also tends to run in families.

Treatment Options

If you are suffering, several different treatment options are available. These options include:

  • Physical therapy – Some patients may benefit from physical therapy designed to rehabilitate the muscles in the pelvic floor.
  • Removable devices – Certain removable devices, such as vaginal pessaries, can provide additional support for the organs in the pelvic region. This prevents them from bulging into the vaginal canal and causing symptoms.
  • Pelvic floor exercises – Performing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles on a regular basis may improve the symptoms of pelvic floor prolapse.
  • Surgery – When the symptoms of pelvic floor prolapse are severe, surgical procedures may be recommended. In surgery, a doctor will attempt to repair the ligaments and reposition the prolapsed organs. For women who are no longer sexually active, surgery can also be used to close the vaginal opening completely.

If you think that you may be suffering from this, please contact Georgia Urology today to schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options.