What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
In some shape or form, this is a question we hear regularly at Clinic Sofia, although many women don’t understand exactly what they’re asking about. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when an organ such as the bladder, uterus or small bowel drops or prolapses and then pushes against the walls of the vagina. It can feel like you’re sitting on something, a persistent pressure on the vagina, a feeling of fullness in the lower belly or you may notice sudden incontinence. Pelvic organ prolapse can be quite painful, or just mildly irritating. It’s often linked to childbirth, during which the muscles that support your pelvic organs can stretch or weaken.
Pelvic organ prolapse can be treated by Kegels, maintaining a healthy weight, pelvic floor therapy and surgical options, depending on the severity of the prolapse. While many women aren’t familiar with the term, Dr. Kellie Stecher of Clinic Sofia estimates that half of women over the age of 50 have some sort of prolapse. Dr. Stecher was recently interviewed about pelvic organ prolapse in the Star Tribune. Read on for more details and tips.
