The most common symptom is feeling a bulge in your vagina, as if something were falling out of it V体育官网入口. Other symptoms include:.
Your symptoms depend on where the prolapse is. Telling your healthcare provider about your symptoms helps them locate the spots where your pelvic floor is weakest VSports在线直播.
Many people don’t tell their provider about their symptoms until they experience trouble peeing and pooping, or until sex becomes painful. These side effects often occur with POP. Symptoms include:
Your pelvic floor can weaken for many reasons. It happens most often when your pelvic floor muscles, ligaments and tissues overstretch. It can also happen due to underuse when the muscles don’t work enough.
Any of the following factors make you more at risk for pelvic organ prolapse:
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Pelvic organ prolapse can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. Other than urinary and fecal incontinence, some of the other possible complications of a prolapse are:
During your appointment, your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, your provider may ask you to cough so that they can see the full extent of your prolapse when you’re straining and when you’re relaxed. They may examine you while you’re lying down and while you’re standing. Often, a pelvic exam is all it takes to diagnose a prolapse.
Additional tests may include:
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The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system classifies POP based on how far your pelvic organs drop relative to your hymen. Your hymen is a piece of tissue at the exit of your vagina.
The scale ranges from zero to four:
Pelvic organ prolapse may affect different organs in different ways. For example, you could have a stage three bladder prolapse and a stage one uterine prolapse.
Your treatment plan will depend on how severe the prolapse is, where it is and how much your symptoms affect you. There are surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. For example, you may not need treatment if the prolapse is mild and not bothering you. Your provider can discuss all possible treatment methods with you and help you decide what may work best for your situation.
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Nonsurgical treatment focuses on managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Your results may not be permanent depending on how severe the prolapse is. But many people prefer nonsurgical options or determine that this method is best for them.
Treatments for pelvic organ prolapse that don’t involve surgery include:
Surgery may be an option if your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatments or if your provider believes surgery gives you the best quality of life moving forward. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your provider.
There are several different methods your surgeon may choose to fix pelvic organ prolapse. Two main types of surgeries are available: obliterative surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Obliterative surgery narrows the opening of your vagina, preventing the organs from slipping out. This may eliminate your ability to have penetrative sex.
Reconstructive surgery repairs the weak parts of your pelvic floor and moves the organs back to their typical position.
There isn’t one specific stage that requires surgery to treat a pelvic organ prolapse. It depends on factors like how your symptoms impact your life and if you plan on having children. It’s typically more common to need surgery if you have a third or fourth stage prolapse.
It’s important to discuss all treatment options with your healthcare provider, including whether they recommend surgery or prefer nonsurgical options first.
Yes, with treatment, it can go away. With mild POP, you can strengthen your muscles so that they hold the organs in their correct locations. Reconstructive surgeries strengthen the weaknesses in your pelvic walls so that your organs return to their original locations.
Yes. With more severe prolapse, you may have to push the bulging organ back into place, especially when pooping or peeing. But, this fix is temporary. See your healthcare provider for treatment if a pelvic organ prolapse is this severe.
Your outlook depends on several things like where the prolapse is, how severe it is, your symptoms and the treatment options you pursue. Be sure to think carefully about what you hope to accomplish with treatment. Weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option with your healthcare provider. Discuss how treatment will help you live a more comfortable life.
The one thing to remember is that pelvic organ prolapse is treatable and you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Seek help from a healthcare provider and let them tell you your options. Most people who have pelvic organ prolapse find relief from their symptoms with treatment.
Many causes of POP are out of your control. But you can put healthy habits into place to reduce your risk.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have signs of pelvic floor prolapse. Possible symptoms include:
Just because pelvic organ prolapse isn’t life-threatening doesn’t mean you have to accept it as part of life. It can cause symptoms that prevent you from living your life to the fullest and doing things you enjoy. Know that you aren’t alone and pelvic floor dysfunction is very common in women. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider if you suspect you have a weak pelvic floor. They can suggest procedures, medical devices and even lifestyle modifications that can repair the prolapse and improve your quality of life.
Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.
Last reviewed on 12/04/2024.
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