I have a weak what?
Pelvic pressure could be prolapse

You’re a woman. You’re getting older and join the gym to keep your bones and muscles from getting weak. But did you know the muscles and ligaments that hold your organs in place can get weak too?

As women age, the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the pelvis can weaken, causing the bladder, uterus or rectum to drop or fall out of its normal position. This is called “pelvic organ prolapse.” Prolapse usually occurs over a period of years, but can happen quicker.

“The organ pushes on the vaginal wall, which is felt or seen coming out of the vagina,” said Susan Tate, M.D., urogynecology. “A woman will feel pressure or a bulging sensation – like something is slipping out of the vagina – that can be worse at the end of the day or after long periods of being on her feet.”

Prolapse doesn’t happen to every woman but is the result of a combination of factors – the biggest being pregnancy and childbirth. Other factors, including a likely genetic tendency, are obesity, frequent straining during bowel movements, hysterectomy and nerve injuries or disorders.

“Diagnosis is as simple as listening to the patient’s symptoms,” Dr. Tate said. “It also includes a pelvic exam in which measurements are taken to determine amount of prolapse.”

Luckily, prolapse can be treated either surgically or nonsurgically.

“For those looking for symptomatic, nonsurgical relief, a silicone device called a pessary can be placed in the vagina to provide support for the prolapsed organs,” said Michael Heit, M.D., urogynecology.

If the prolapse is too severe to be treated with a pessary, surgical repair is a successful option. Laparoscopic surgical treatment involving just a few tiny incisions is one of several different surgical approaches.

“Surgery is best performed laproscopically through the abdomen using mesh that acts as ‘suspenders’ to hold the vagina up,” Dr. Heit said. “Once the vagina is in place, the other pelvic organs snap back into place.”

If left untreated, prolapse will eventually worsen and can cause infections and organ damage; therefore, it’s best to discuss symptoms with a gynecologist if prolapse is suspected.

–Jennifer Stewart

Want to know more?
Specially trained physicians treat prolapse and related issues in a dignified and compassionate way. To find a urogynecologist or to receive a free Healthy Woman Kit, call Norton Healthcare’s free physician referral service at (502) 629-1234.

Midlife doesn’t have to be a miserable life

Midlife years can bring a wide range of health issues for women. Norton Women’s Pavilion can help by providing services dedicated to women’s unique needs:

  • Minimally invasive surgical treatments for organ prolapse, including the da Vinci robotic surgical system or laparoscopy
  • Bladder control treatment
  • Hormone replacement therapy assessments and counseling
  • Menopause management services
  • Nutritional and fitness counseling
  • Psychological/sexual counseling
  • Routine Pap smears and lab tests, including hormone level checks and EKGs