Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is when the pelvic organs, including the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum, drop from their usual position in the lower abdomen. This condition is often caused by a weak pelvic floor, including ligaments, muscles, and other tissues that hold organs in their ideal alignment.

Prolapse can make the affected organs sag into the vagina.

What types of pelvic organ prolapse are there?

Types of pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Rectocele: posterior vaginal wall prolapse (rectum drops into the vagina)
• Dropped bladder: anterior vaginal wall prolapse (bladder drops into the vagina) 
• Urethrocele: dropped urethra into the vaginal canal
• Vaginal vault prolapse: top of the vagina drops into the vaginal canal
• Enterocele: small intestine bulges into the vagina
• Uterine prolapse: uterus drops into the vaginal canal

Dr. Satsangi determines which type of prolapse you have and how to treat it.

What are the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms include:

• Fullness or pressure in the vagina
• Aching in your pelvic area
• Changes in urinary or bowel habits
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Stress incontinence
• Constipation
• Urinary or bowel incontinence
• Constant urge to urinate

See Dr. Satsangi at the first sign of a problem to avoid worsening discomfort or complications. 

What are the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse?

Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Vaginal childbirth
• Long-lasting abdominal cavity pressure
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic coughing
• Frequent heavy lifting
• Connective tissue diseases
• Aging
• Family history of pelvic organ prolapse

More than half of women with pelvic organ prolapse or other pelvic floor disorders are 80 and older.

Complications that can develop because of untreated pelvic organ prolapse include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney infections, kidney damage, and emotional distress.

How is pelvic organ prolapse diagnosed?

Dr. Satsangi reviews your symptoms, discusses your medical history, and completes physical and pelvic exams. He could order a pelvic floor evaluation, bladder function tests (cystoscopy, urodynamics testing, etc.), and imaging procedures like an ultrasound or MRI. 

How is pelvic organ prolapse treated?

Your personalized pelvic organ prolapse treatment plan depends on how severe your condition is and can include:

• Watchful waiting in mild cases
• Pelvic floor exercises (kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor)
• Vaginal pessary, a removable device inserted into the vagina
• Surgery

If conservative treatments don’t ease your symptoms, Dr. Satsangi might suggest surgery. He can correct pelvic organ prolapse by narrowing the opening of or shortening the vagina. Or, he can repair weakened parts of your pelvic floor to move the affected organs back into their ideal position.

Dr. Satsangi specializes in robotic sacrocolpopexy, a reconstructive surgery that uses tiny incisions, advanced robotics technology, and a surgical mesh to lift and support the prolapsed organs.

It’s also necessary to avoid smoking, use caution when lifting heavy objects, maintain a healthy weight, eat a high-fiber diet, drink a lot of fluids, and effectively manage constipation.

Schedule an evaluation today at Mission City Urology by phone or online to be screened for pelvic organ prolapse.