Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition where weakened pelvic floor muscles cause one or more organs to sag. In severe cases, one or more of these organs can bulge into another organ or sag outside of your body.
The type of prolapse you have will depend on the location of your pelvic floor weakness and which organs are affected. Common types of pelvic organ prolapse include:
Cystocele (prolapse of the bladder)
Rectal prolapse
Uterine prolapse
Vaginal prolapse
Postmenopausal women, women who have given birth vaginally and women who have experienced previous vagina surgeries, are at increased risk of uterine prolapse.
To determine if pelvic organ prolapse is the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will perform a thorough pelvic examination to check the position of your uterus and assess the degree of the prolapse and the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.
Your treatment will depend on the degree of prolapse, as well as your overall health and lifestyle. Treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse include:
Kegel exercises to improve pelvic floor muscle tone, since over time you may continue to lose tone, making the prolapse more severe.
Weight loss or weight maintenance to minimize the stress on the pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor physical therapy to improve the condition of your pelvic structures.
A vaginal pessary, which is a removable device that fits inside the vagina and helps to hold the uterus in place.
Estrogen replacement therapy, which may help to limit further weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and other supportive connective tissues.
Surgery, including minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and robotic-assisted surgery utilizing the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System.