Uterine Prolapse: What You Need to Know
Uterine prolapse is a condition that affects many women, especially after menopause or childbirth. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that support the uterus weaken and stretch, causing the uterus to slip down into or out of the vagina. This can cause symptoms such as pelvic pressure, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual difficulties, and a feeling of something bulging out of the vagina.
Causes and Risk Factors
The main cause of uterine prolapse is damage to the pelvic floor muscles and tissues, which can happen due to:
- Vaginal delivery, especially if you had a large baby, difficult labour, multiple births, or an older age at first delivery.
- Ageing and lower oestrogen levels after menopause, which can make the tissues less elastic and resilient.
- Chronic constipation or straining with bowel movements, which can put pressure on the pelvic organs.
- Chronic coughing or bronchitis, which can also increase the pressure on the pelvic floor.
- Repeated heavy lifting or other activities that stress the pelvic muscles.
- Obesity, which can add extra weight to the pelvic organs.
- Family history of weak connective tissue or uterine prolapse.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose uterine prolapse, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam and ask you about your symptoms and medical history. You may also have some tests to check your bladder function or measure the degree of prolapse.
Treatment Of Uterine Prolapse
The treatment for uterine prolapse depends on the severity of your condition, your symptoms, your age, and your desire to have children or sexual activity. Some of the treatment options include:
- Self-care measures, such as doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, losing weight if you are overweight, treating constipation, and avoiding heavy lifting or straining.
- A vaginal pessary, which is a silicone device that is inserted into the vagina to support the uterus and other pelvic organs. A pessary needs to be removed regularly for cleaning and may cause some side effects such as vaginal irritation or infection.
- Surgery, which may involve removing the uterus (hysterectomy) or repairing the pelvic floor structures with stitches or mesh. Surgery can be done through the vagina or through small incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopy). Surgery can improve your symptoms and quality of life, but it also has some risks such as bleeding, infection, nerve damage, or recurrence of prolapse.
Prevention and Outlook
Uterine prolapse is not a life-threatening condition, but it can affect your physical and emotional well-being. You can prevent or delay uterine prolapse by taking care of your pelvic health, such as:
- Doing Kegel exercises regularly to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong.
- Avoiding constipation and straining with bowel movements by eating a high-fibre diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
- Quitting smoking if you are a smoker, as smoking can cause chronic coughing and damage your tissues.
- Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity.
- Seeking medical attention if you have symptoms of uterine prolapse or other pelvic organ prolapse.
Conclusion
If you have uterine prolapse, you are not alone. Many women experience this condition at some point in their lives. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can improve your symptoms and restore your comfort and confidence.
Sources
Uterine prolapse - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-prolapse/symptoms-causes/syc-20353458
Uterine prolapse - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uterine-prolapse/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353464
Uterine Prolapse: Stages, Symptoms, Treatment & Surgery - Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16030-uterine-prolapse