Healthy Her | What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Although pelvic organ prolapse is very common and up to 50% of women will have some type of prolapse during their lifetimes, this condition rarely gets discussed because women often feel shame or confusion about pelvic organ prolapse and are unaware of the treatment options.

What is pelvic organ prolapse? The pelvic muscles, including the bladder, uterus and cervix, vagina, and rectum (which is part of the bowel), and tissues support the pelvic organs like a hammock. A prolapse happens when the pelvis muscles and tissues can no longer support these organs because the muscles and tissues are weak or damaged. Pelvic organ prolapse involves the "dropping" of one of the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) which leads to a bulge in the vagina. This can also be sometimes associated with stress urinary incontinence. None of these conditions are life-threatening, but they can significantly impact a woman's quality of life and self-confidence.

The pressure from the prolapse can cause a bulge in the vagina that can sometimes be felt or seen. Women with pelvic organ prolapse may feel uncomfortable pressure during physical activity or sex.

Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Seeing or feeling a bulge or "something coming out" of the vagina

• A feeling of pressure, discomfort, aching, or fullness in the pelvis

• Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing or coughing or as the day goes on

• Leaking urine (incontinence) or problems having a bowel movement

• Problems inserting tampons

Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse depends on the type of prolapse you have, your symptoms, your age, other health problems, and whether you are sexually active. Over the years, minimally invasive surgical treatments as well as nonsurgical treatment options have been developed.

“Corrective procedures are usually outpatient with quick recovery and rapid return to a normal way of life,” said Dr. Jeff Fahy, a board-certified gynecologist and pelvic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, benign pelvic masses, and pelvic pain. “Board-certified urogynecologists have advanced training in these minimally invasive surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. The vast majority of women who undergo corrective procedures for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence indicate that they wish they had done this sooner in light of the ease of the procedures and the minimal discomfort and speedy recovery.”

To learn more about the services Dr. Fahy can provide, visit his website.

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