Treatment
There are some therapies, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. These include:
- Surgical removal of the affected organ, such as a hysterectomy, removal of the uterus.
These vary between a total hysterectomy, the complete removal of the uterus, and a subtotal hysterectomy, the removal of the upper part of the uterus.
- Pelvic floor reconstructive surgery
- A repair of the prolapsed organ (for example the bladder, known as cystocele repair; or of the rectum and small bowel, known as a rectocele repair)
- Repair of the wall of the vagina, known as a vaginal vault suspension
- The closing of the vagina, known as vaginal obliteration
- Pessary treatment: a plastic device is inserted into the vagina and helps provide the necessary support for the floor organs. There are different kinds of pessaries and are used depending on the severity of the condition. They are all made out of silicone, but vary in shape ring, cube, disk-shaped, U-shaped. Your doctor will decide after examination, which pessary best fits you. It’s important for it not to be too small, so that it falls out, or too big so that you feel discomfort. Some pessaries can be removed on your own for cleaning, while others need to be removed by a doctor. These appointments would take place every one to three months.
- In mild cases, Kegel’s exercise can lead to the adequate strengthening of the muscles, so that no other, more invasive therapies are needed. Kegel exercises can be done at any time and anywhere. They are very simple and involve a simple movement as tightening of the muscles, holding for around five seconds and releasing. If you´re not sure what muscles you need to tighten, try stopping your urine stream. The muscles used for this action are the same muscles you need to tighten during the Kegel exercises. However, stopping the urine stream should not become a habit, as this may leave your bladder half-full, leading to infections of the urinary tract.
Prevention
There are risk factors for the pelvic organ prolapse, which you can do nothing about, such as your family genetics, your age, the removal of the uterine after a condition, or difficult birth. However, there are also some things you can do that may improve your chances of not getting the condition.
Try to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity is a risk factor of pelvic organ descending. Try to eat a healthy diet and avoid constipation; should you notice that you do have constipation, consult your doctor to treat it the best way possible and not put pressure on your muscles for a longer period of time than needed.
The same is recommended if you are suffering from coughing for a longer period of time. Seek professional help to get the right treatment, as chronic coughing may also cause the weakening of the muscles. Kegel exercises are also a good way of strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.