What is Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
Pelvic floor prolapse is a condition that affects the pelvic floor tissues, muscles, and ligaments. The tissues, muscles and ligaments support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. The pelvic organs may prolapse or fall out of place when they stretch or weaken.
What Causes Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
Several factors contribute to pelvic floor prolapse, including childbirth, aging, obesity, and chronic constipation. Other factors may include connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and previous surgeries in the pelvic area.
What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
Pelvic floor prolapse can cause various symptoms, depending on which organs are affected. These may include urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, and pelvic pain. In severe cases, prolapse can cause organs to protrude out of the vagina.
What are the Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
There are several treatment options available for pelvic floor prolapse, depending on the severity of the condition. These include pelvic floor muscle exercises, pessaries to help hold organs in place, and surgery to repair the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments.
Pelvic floor prolapse is a condition that can be embarrassing and painful, but there are treatment options available. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor to discuss your options.
Treating Pelvic Floor Prolapse
There are several different treatments available for pelvic floor prolapse, depending on the severity of the condition. Treatments may include:
1) Exercises to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor Muscles:
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can help to strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you find the activities for you.
2) Pessaries:
A pessary is a device that is inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Pessaries come in various shapes and sizes, and your doctor will help you choose the one that is best for you.
3) Surgery:
In some cases, surgery can repair the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. Surgery is typically a last resort, but it can be highly effective in correcting the problem.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor prolapse is a condition that affects the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. These muscles and ligaments support the bladder, uterus, and bowel. The pelvic organs may prolapse or fall out of place when they stretch or weaken.
Several factors contribute to pelvic floor prolapse, including childbirth, aging, obesity, and chronic constipation. Other factors may include connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and previous surgeries in the pelvic area.
Pelvic floor prolapse can cause various symptoms, depending on which organs are affected. These may include urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, and pelvic pain. In severe cases, prolapse can cause organs to protrude out of the vagina.
Several treatment options are available for pelvic floor prolapse, depending on the severe repair of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. Talk to your doctor and physiotherapist to discuss your options. These may include pelvic floor muscle exercises, pessaries to help hold organs in place, and surgery to repair the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments.
Additional Resources
The NHS explains what pelvic floor prolapse is and what causes it.
Web MD article on pelvic floor disorders.
About the Author
Katja Bergin PT is a certified physiotherapist and one of the owners of Bergin Motion. Bergin Motion is a family-run Barrie Physiotherapy Clinic located in Barrie’s Southend. Katja specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Katja works with women and men to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Katja is part of a team at Bergin Motion in Barrie, Ontario that works with all kinds of conditions.