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If getting through your day includes<br />
bouts with pressure on your<br />
lower regions, you may be experiencing<br />
pelvic organ prolapse,<br />
a type of pelvic floor disorder.<br />
Pelvic floor disorders or similar<br />
conditions affect about one-third<br />
of all women throughout their<br />
lifetimes.<br />
The pelvic floor is a group of<br />
muscles and tissues that form a<br />
kind of hammock, keeping the pelvic<br />
organs in place. These organs<br />
include the bladder, uterus, vagina,<br />
small bowel and rectum. “Prolapse”<br />
refers to a descending or drooping<br />
of any of these pelvic floor<br />
organs.<br />
How Do I Know if I<br />
Have Pelvic Organ Prolapse?<br />
According to Dr. Eileen<br />
Farwick, board-certified urogynecologist<br />
with Winnie Palmer<br />
Hospital for Women & Babies,<br />
the most common symptom of pelvic<br />
organ prolapse is the pressing of<br />
the uterus or other organs against<br />
the vaginal wall. This pressure may<br />
MATTER OF HEALTH<br />
An Inconvenient Pressure<br />
cause minor discomfort or problems<br />
in how your pelvic organs function.<br />
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse<br />
include:<br />
• A feeling of pelvic pressure.<br />
• A feeling as if something is actually<br />
falling out of the vagina.<br />
• A pulling or stretching in the<br />
groin area or a low backache.<br />
• Painful intercourse.<br />
• Spotting or bleeding from the<br />
vagina.<br />
• Urinary problems, such as involuntary<br />
release of urine, or a frequent<br />
or urgent need to urinate.<br />
• Problems with bowel movements,<br />
such as constipation.<br />
Standing, jumping and lifting can<br />
make these symptoms worse, while<br />
discomfort is usually relieved by lying<br />
down.<br />
South Lake Medical Directory x August 23, 2018 x 3<br />
submitted by Orlando Health<br />
winniepalmerhospital.com/pelvicfloor<br />
What Causes<br />
Pelvic Organ Prolapse?<br />
The pelvic organs are kept in place<br />
by a group of muscles and connective<br />
support tissue lining the pelvic<br />
floor. The most common conditions<br />
that contribute to prolapse are listed<br />
below:<br />
• Hysterectomy before menopause.<br />
Studies have shown that the<br />
removal of the uterus before menopause<br />
may have a negative effect on<br />
the support of the bladder, rectum or<br />
vaginal connective tissue.<br />
• Pregnancy can stretch and damage<br />
tissue and nerves of the pelvic<br />
floor, causing an increased risk of<br />
prolapse. Delivery method, as well<br />
as the size of babies delivered, can<br />
all contribute to an increased risk of<br />
prolapse.<br />
• Lower estrogen levels that occur<br />
at menopause contribute to the<br />
increased risk of prolapse as women<br />
age. Estrogen supports the production<br />
of collagen, a protein that enables<br />
tissue to stretch and return to<br />
normal position. As estrogen levels<br />
decline, pelvic tissue becomes less<br />
elastic and can tear.<br />
• Other factors that influence the<br />
risk of prolapse are obesity, chronic<br />
constipation, chronic cough due to<br />
lung disease, chronic heavy lifting<br />
and genetic predisposition.<br />
Wait ... That’s Happening to Me<br />
If you are experiencing any of the<br />
symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse,<br />
it would be wise to talk with your<br />
doctor. Pelvic organ prolapse can be<br />
a progressive condition, gradually<br />
worsening over time. According to<br />
Dr. Farwick, “Many cases of pelvic<br />
organ prolapse may actually improve<br />
with early intervention, such as pelvic<br />
floor therapy and other treatments.”<br />
It’s worth checking out, because<br />
really, who needs all that<br />
added pressure?<br />
n
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