Stress Urinary Incontinence

What is pelvic prolapse?

Pelvic prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs move out of position and drop down into the vaginal canal.

Your pelvic floor is made up of connective tissues and muscles that hold your bladder, uterus, and rectum in place. When these tissues become weak with age, menopause, or the strains of childbirth, they can no longer support your pelvic floor organs.

At Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, comprehensive pelvic floor evaluations are available for women.

Its experienced OB/GYNs focus on nonsurgical treatments to restore the health of your pelvic floor. They also offer surgery when needed to reposition your organs and prevent additional prolapse.

What are the symptoms of pelvic prolapse?

It’s possible to have pelvic prolapse without any symptoms. However, if left untreated, the condition can cause:

• Pelvic heaviness or pain
• Lower back pain
• Pain with sex
• Difficulties inserting a tampon
• Changes in urinary and bowel habits

When pelvic organs prolapse into the vaginal canal, you may feel or see a bulge of tissue in the vaginal opening.

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology. Your physician completes a pelvic exam and may order additional tests to assess the health of the organs in your pelvic floor.

How is pelvic prolapse treated?

Your treatment plan for pelvic prolapse depends on the severity of your symptoms and the impact they have on your quality of life.

The Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology providers may prescribe supplemental estrogen for women in menopause to improve their vaginal tissue health. You may also benefit from a referral to a physical therapist who can teach you exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor.

If you have moderate to severe symptoms of pelvic prolapse, you may be a candidate for surgery using minimally invasive techniques to reposition your pelvic floor organs and hold them in place with stitches.

In some cases, your provider may recommend a hysterectomy to remove a prolapsed uterus if you’re done having children.

Call the Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology office to schedule a diagnostic evaluation of pelvic prolapse symptoms, or book a consultation online today.