Prolapse Specialist

What is prolapse?

When an organ in your pelvis drops from its normal position, it’s prolapsed. You have muscles in your pelvic floor that create a hammock-like support system for all your pelvic organs. 

When these muscles grow weak or suffer injury, they fail to hold up your organs as they should. You may experience prolapse due to childbirth, surgery, aging, or menopause. Pressure on your abdomen from chronic constipation or obesity can also contribute to pelvic organ prolapse.

What organs can prolapse?

Any organ in your pelvic area can prolapse. These include the:

• Bladder
• Rectum
• Uterus
• Vagina
• Small bowel
  
  

With prolapse, the organs drop into the vagina, creating pressure or visible organ tissue.

What are the symptoms of prolapse?

Prolapse symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on the degree of your condition. In mild cases, you may experience no symptoms at all. If you have a more severe case, you may experience the following:

• Constipation
• Feeling that something is falling out of your vagina
• Visible, irregular tissue
• Unusual spotting and bleeding
• Backache and fullness feeling in the pelvic region
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain during intercourse
  
  

The symptoms you experience are often dependent on which organ prolapsed.

How is pelvic organ prolapse diagnosed?

Your doctor at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC identifies prolapse during a physical exam. If you come in with symptoms suggesting prolapse, they will likely run imaging tests such as an ultrasound to identify prolapsed organs. Your medical history also informs your diagnosis.

How is pelvic organ prolapse treated?

Your doctor at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC evaluates your condition to determine an appropriate treatment plan. You may benefit from intervention as simple as physical therapy that helps to strengthen the muscles and tissue around the organs. 

Some women benefit from a pessary to support drooping organs. This removable device is placed inside your vagina.

Conventional vaginal or robotic surgery can also repair failing tissue or remove prolapsed organs, such as a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. Surgery is as minimally invasive as possible, so you experience a quick recovery and minimal complications.

If you have symptoms that suggest organ prolapse, call the team at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, or request an appointment online today.