Christopher K. Quinsey, MD is an OBGYN providing compassionate, thorough and attentive care for women and their health care needs in Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Spings, Orlando, and throughout Volusia county.
What is pelvic organ prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is a disorder in which one or more of the pelvic organs drop from their normal position.
What organs can be affected by pelvic organ prolapse?
The organs that can be affected include the following:
Uterus
Top of the vagina in women who have had a hysterectomy (the vaginal vault)
Front (anterior) wall of the vagina (usually with the bladder, which is called a cystocele)
Back (posterior) wall of the vagina (usually with the rectum, which is called a rectocele)
The pouch between the rectum and back wall of the uterus (usually with a part of the small intestine, which is called an enterocele)
What are the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?
In severe prolapse, the woman can see or feel a bulge of tissue at or past the vaginal opening. Most women have mild prolapse—the organs drop down only slightly and do not protrude from the opening of the vagina—and do not have any signs or symptoms. Some women with mild prolapse and women with severe prolapse do have symptoms, which can include the following:
Feeling of fullness or heaviness in the pelvic region
Pulling or aching feeling in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Painful or uncomfortable sex
Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
How is pelvic organ prolapse treated?
If you do not have any symptoms or if your symptoms are mild, you do not need any special follow-up or treatment beyond having regular checkups. If you have symptoms, prolapse may be treated with or without surgery.
What are nonsurgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse?
Often the first nonsurgical option tried is a pessary. This device is inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Targeting specific symptoms may be another option. Kegel exercises may be recommended in addition to symptom-related treatment to help strengthen the pelvic floor. Weight loss can decrease pressure in the abdomen and help improve overall health.
When should I consider surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse?
If your symptoms are severe and disrupt your life, and if nonsurgical treatment options have not helped, you may want to consider surgery.
What factors should I consider when deciding whether to have surgery?
The following factors should be considered when deciding whether to have surgery:
Your age—If you have surgery at a young age, there is a chance that prolapse will recur and may possibly require additional treatment. If you have surgery at an older age, general health issues and any prior surgery may affect the type of surgery that you have.
Your childbearing plans—Ideally, women who plan to have children (or more children) should postpone surgery until their families are complete to avoid the risk of prolapse happening again after corrective surgery.
Health conditions—Any surgical procedure carries some risk, such as infection, bleeding, blood clots in the legs, and problems related to anesthesia. Surgery may carry more risks if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or breathing problems, or if you smoke or are obese.
New problems—Surgery also may cause new problems, such as pain during sex, pelvic pain, or urinary incontinence.
What are the types of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse?
In general, there are two types of surgery: 1) obliterative surgery and 2) reconstructive surgery.
How does obliterative surgery treat pelvic organ prolapse?
Obliterative surgery narrows or closes off the vagina to provide support for prolapsed organs. Sexual intercourse is not possible after this procedure.
How does reconstructive surgery treat pelvic organ prolapse?
Reconstructive surgery reconstructs the pelvic floor with the goal of restoring the organs to their original position. Some types of reconstructive surgery are done through an incision in the vagina. Others are done through an incision in the abdomen or with laparoscopy.
What are the types of reconstructive surgery?
The types of reconstructive surgery include the following:
Fixation or suspension using your own tissues (uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrospinous fixation)—These procedures are performed through the vagina and may involve less recovery time than those performed through the abdomen. A procedure to prevent urinary incontinence may be done at the same time.
Anterior and posterior colporrhaphy—Because these procedures are performed through the vagina, recovery time usually is shorter than with procedures performed through the abdomen.
Sacrocolpopexy and sacrohysteropexy—These abdominal procedures may result in less pain during sex than procedures performed through the vagina.
Surgery using vaginally placed mesh—Mesh placed through the vagina has a significant risk of complications, including mesh erosion, pain, and infection. Because of these risks, vaginally placed mesh for pelvic organ prolapse usually is reserved for women in whom previous surgery has not worked, who have a medical condition that makes abdominal surgery risky, or whose own tissues are too weak to repair without mesh.
What is involved in recovery after surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse?
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery. You usually need to take a few weeks off from work. For the first few weeks, you should avoid vigorous exercise, lifting, and straining. You also should avoid sexual intercourse for several weeks after surgery.
Glossary
Anesthesia: Relief of pain by loss of sensation.
Bladder: A muscular organ in which urine is stored.
Colporrhaphy: A type of surgery performed through the vagina to repair anterior vaginal prolapse and posterior vaginal prolapse by reinforcing (or repairing) a woman’s own tissues.
Cystocele: Bulging of the bladder into the vagina.
Enterocele: Bulging of the intestine into the upper part of the vagina.
Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus.
Incontinence: Inability to control bodily functions such as urination.
Kegel Exercises: Pelvic muscle exercises that assist in bladder and bowel control as well as sexual function.
Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure in which an instrument called a laparoscope is inserted into the pelvic cavity through a small incision. The laparoscope is used to view the pelvic organs. Other instruments can be used with it to perform surgery.
Ligament: A band of tissue that connects bones or supports large internal organs.
Obliterative Surgery: A type of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in which the vagina is narrowed or closed off to provide support for prolapsed organs.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A condition in which pelvic organs, such as the uterus or bladder, drop downward. It is caused by weakening of the muscles and tissues that support these organs.
Pessary: A device inserted into the vagina to support sagging organs that have dropped down (prolapsed) or to help control urine leakage.
Reconstructive Surgery: Surgery to repair or restore a part of the body that is injured or damaged.
Rectocele: Bulging of the rectum into the vaginal wall.
Rectum: The last part of the digestive tract.
Sacrocolpopexy: A type of surgery to repair vaginal vault prolapse in which the vaginal vault is attached to the sacrum with surgical mesh.
Sacrohysteropexy: A type of surgery to repair uterine prolapse in which the cervix is attached to the sacrum with surgical mesh.
Uterus: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.
Vagina: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.
Vaginal Vault: The top of the vagina after a hysterectomy.
