Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Phuong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a disorder of the pelvic floor that can affect the health of many women. In fact, about a third of all women are affected by prolapse or similar conditions during their lifetime.

The "pelvic floor" is a muscle group that forms a sort of sag across the opening of the pelvis. Normally, these muscles and the tissues around them keep the pelvic organs (including the bladder, uterus, vagina, small intestine, and rectum) in place. Sometimes these muscles and tissues become problematic, as some women experience pelvic floor disorders due to childbirth. With many older women, pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders become more common.
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vaginal wall. Pelvic organ prolapse refers to the prolapse of any organ in the pelvic floor area, including:
Bladder Uterus Vagina Small Intestine Rec

Anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure can lead to pelvic organ prolapse. Common causes include:
Pregnancy, labor and delivery Obesity Breathing problems such as chronic cough Constipation Pelvic organ cancer Hysterectomy Surgery Heredity also possible plays a role in pelvic organ prolapse. Connective tissues may be weaker in some women, putting them at higher risk of pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms include:
A feeling of heaviness around the lower abdomen and genitals Accompanied by discomfort inside the vagina Feeling like something is going down your vagina - yes may feel like sitting on a small ball Feeling or seeing a bulge or lump in or out of the vagina Discomfort or pain during sex Urinating problems, such as bladder sensation your bladder does not empty completely after urinating, needs to go to the bathroom more often, or leaks some urine when you cough, sneeze, or exercise (stress incontinence) Sometimes pelvic organ prolapse does not symptomatic and discovered incidentally during medical examination.

Your doctor can detect pelvic organ prolapse during a routine gynecological exam, such as during a Pap smear. Besides, to diagnose pelvic organ prolapse, your doctor may order a variety of tests such as:
Bladder function tests: Some tests are as simple as finding out if your bladder is leaking. or not, the test measures how empty the bladder is. These test results can help your doctor determine the most appropriate type of management for pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor strength tests: Your doctor will check the strength of your pelvic floor and sphincter muscles during a physical exam. This helps examine the muscles and ligaments that support the walls of the vagina, uterus, rectum, urethra, and bladder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the pelvis. This is only useful in complex cases. Ultrasound: This imaging method uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your kidneys, bladder, and the muscles around your anus. Ultrasound is only useful in complicated cases.

Treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse depend on the severity of symptoms. Depending on the current condition, the disease can be treated with many different methods such as:
Behavioral treatment: The main behavioral treatment is performing Kegel exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Mechanical treatment: In this method, the doctor will insert a small device called a pessary to support the prolapsed organ. Pessaries are silicone devices that come in many shapes and sizes. They are placed vaginally to hold the pelvic organs. Surgical treatment, to repair the affected tissue or organ, or remove the organ (such as a hysterectomy).

Many risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse are beyond your control. These include:
Family history Advanced age A difficult vaginal birth Have had a hysterectomy However, you can reduce your risk of pelvic organ prolapse by the following:
Do Kegel exercises every day days to maintain good muscle strength in the pelvic region. Maintain a healthy weight Avoid constipation Do not smoke, as smoke can affect tissues and the chronic cough is common in smokers, increasing the risk of pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common disease in women, early treatment always brings good results as well as maximum cost savings for the patient. Therefore, when realizing that there is a risk or sign of disease onset, patients should go directly to Vinmec International General Hospital to be examined by a doctor.
In order to improve the quality of diagnosis and best treatment, Vinmec International General Hospital has applied the ThinPrep Pap Test test to diagnose gynecological-related diseases including pelvic organ prolapse. With a system of modern medical equipment and a team of qualified doctors, the treatment process will bring the best results and limit the sequelae.

Source: webmd.com - bvtb.org.vn - slideshare.net