“Prolapse can occur in women of any age, but is more common after menopause or in younger women, especially after a vaginal delivery or in those who engage in activities that put pressure on the pelvic floor, such as heavy lifting or high-impact sports,” says Dr. Derek Tami, a gynecologist at our clinic, who provides more information on this topic.

What is prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more organs in the pelvis, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, become displaced from their normal position and protrude into the vagina. This can occur due to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles and tissues. Prolapses are classified according to severity and location, from grade 0 to 4, with grade 4 being the most severe.

There are several types of pelvic organ prolapse depending on the organ involved:

• Uterine prolapse: The uterus moves into the vagina.
• Bladder prolapse (cystocele): The bladder moves into the vagina.
• Rectal prolapse (rectocele): The rectum moves into the vagina.
• Vaginal vault prolapse: The upper part of the vagina is displaced downward after removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).
• Enterocele: The small intestine is displaced into the vagina.

Prolapse symptoms

Depending on the degree and type of prolapse, symptoms may vary and manifest in different ways depending on which organ is affected. For example, in the case of uterine prolapse, there may be a feeling of pressure in the pelvis, pain during intercourse or problems with holding urine. In the case of bladder prolapse, there may be difficulty emptying the bladder completely, leakage of urine when coughing or sneezing, or even a sensation of a “lump” in the vagina.

Prolapse causes

It is related to any event that increases pressure on the pelvic floor muscles and factors that favor their weakness.  Some of these causes are: age, pregnancy and vaginal delivery, chronic constipation, overweight or obesity, genetic and hormonal factors.

Recommendations to prevent prolapse

• Adopting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining good general health can help reduce the risk of pelvic organ prolapse and promote overall wellness.
• Maintain a Mediterranean diet rich in fiber.
• Practicing pelvic floor strengthening exercises, such as Kegel exercises, squats, pelvic lift or lumbar bridges. These are some fundamental exercises to prevent prolapse and improve pelvic floor health in general.
• Avoid high impact activities, smoking, constipation.
• Manage chronic conditions, such as respiratory diseases.
• Control stress levels and maintain a good sleep pattern.

Remember:

Attend your gynecological check-ups on a regular basis, in order to detect in time any problem that may compromise your health. Our specialists will make a correct evaluation of your case and will be able to define the most effective treatment according to each situation.

Dr. Derek Tami
Gynecologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma