Women’s Health | IVANA MD | Missouri City, TX
Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the most common yet least talked about conditions affecting women. Many women silently live with the discomfort and pressure of prolapse for years without knowing that effective treatments exist.
What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor weaken and can no longer support the pelvic organs. As a result one or more organs including the bladder, uterus, or rectum descend and press into or protrude through the vaginal wall. Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology estimates that approximately 50 percent of women who have given birth have some degree of prolapse, though not all experience symptoms.
What Causes It?
The most common causes and risk factors include:
- Vaginal childbirth, particularly with prolonged pushing, large babies, or multiple deliveries
- Menopause and the decline in estrogen that weakens pelvic tissues
- Chronic constipation and straining
- Obesity, which places sustained pressure on the pelvic floor
- Aging and natural loss of muscle tone
- Genetic predisposition to connective tissue weakness
What Are the Symptoms?
- A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
- A visible bulge at the vaginal opening
- Difficulty with urination or bowel movements
- Lower back pain that worsens throughout the day
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- A feeling that something is falling out of the vagina
Treatment Options
Non-surgical options include:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy, which is the first-line treatment recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Pessary devices, which are removable silicone inserts that physically support prolapsed organs
- Vaginal estrogen therapy to restore tissue strength during and after menopause
- Lifestyle changes including weight management, treating constipation, and avoiding heavy lifting
For moderate to severe prolapse that does not respond to conservative treatment, surgical repair is highly effective. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that both surgical and pessary treatments significantly improved quality of life in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
When to See a Doctor
See a women’s health provider if you notice pelvic pressure or a bulge, difficulty with urination or bowel movements, pain during sex, or symptoms interfering with your daily life. Prolapse does not resolve on its own and tends to worsen without treatment. Early evaluation always leads to better outcomes.
You do not have to live with the discomfort of pelvic organ prolapse. Effective, personalized solutions are available.
📍 Schedule your women’s health appointment with IVANA MD in Missouri City, TX.
📞 346-585-4077.
4220 Cartwright Road, Suite 201, Missouri City, Texas 77459.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Urogynecologic Society. (2019). Pelvic Organ Prolapse: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 214. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 134(5), e126-e142. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31651832/
Hagen, S., Stark, D., Glazener, C., et al. (2011). Conservative prevention and management of pelvic organ prolapse in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD003882. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22161382/
Olsen, A. L., Smith, V. J., Bergstrom, J. O., et al. (1997). Epidemiology of surgically managed pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 89(4), 501-506. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9083302/
Haylen, B. T., de Ridder, D., Freeman, R. M., et al. (2010). An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. International Urogynecology Journal, 21(1), 5-26. springer.com
