Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent of one or more areas of the anterior vaginal wall, posterior vaginal wall, uterus (cervix), or apex of the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs in a small percentage of women and is usually detected during a vaginal exam by an OBGYN. Pelvic organ prolapse surgery is required for an even smaller percentage of cases. However, most of those cases are typically women between ages 60 and 69.
General symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:
Older females are most often at risk to developing pelvic organ prolapse due to reduced collagen levels or disease, childbirth-related PFM trauma, and/or hyperflexibility; however, pelvic organ prolapse is often associated with:
The development of pelvic organ prolapse may be due to:
What are the types of pelvic organ prolapse?
There are several different types of pelvic organ prolapses. When describing pelvic organ prolapses, they go by anatomy/organ (eg: cystocele – bladder, rectocele – rectum), by change (eg: herniation, prolapse, protrusion, relaxation), and by position (eg: anterior or posterior).
The types of pelvic organ prolapse include:
Evaluation would include:
Usually treated:
Pelvic organ prolapse can also be treated with a pessary that is prescribed by a gynecologist. A pessary is a device inserted non-surgically into the vagina to reduce prolapse, prove support, and relieve pressure on the bladder and bladder. Made of silicone, many are ring-shaped. Optional for those who are not surgical candidates and is considered minimally invasive. May be as effective as surgery in improving health-related quality of life. Potential benefits include improved symptoms of bulging, decreased bladder irritation, and improved body self-image. Complications of pessary insertion may include bleeding, vaginal discharge, pain, constipation, and/or odor; although severe complications are rare.
If you’re experiencing pelvic floor dysfunctions associated with the issues above, please reach out to us at Pelvic Health Center in Madison, NJ to set up an evaluation and treatment! Feel free to call us at 908-443-9880 or email us at
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