Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Your pelvic organs (bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, small bowel, and rectum) are held in place by a group of muscles and connective tissue ligaments that form the pelvic floor inside your abdomen. When these muscles are injured, stretched, or weakened, one or more of the pelvic organs can “prolapse”, or descend out of place. This can cause discomfort, inconvenience, and sometimes pain, depending on the severity.
There are different types of prolapses depending on which organs have shifted in the pelvic floor.
Cystocele Prolapse: Occurs when the bladder protrudes into the vagina due to the anterior (front) vaginal wall becoming weak.
Rectocele Prolapse: Occurs when the rectum protrudes into the vagina due to the weakening of the supporting tissue.
Enterocele Prolapse: Occurs when the small intestines protrude into the vagina due to the weakening of the support tissue.
Vaginal vault prolapse: Occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and drops into the vagina.
Uterine prolapse: Occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and the uterus drops into the vagina.
The most common triggering factor is pregnancy and childbirth. Other conditions that can cause or aggravate a prolapse include obesity, chronic constipation, chronic respiratory issues that cause constant coughing, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), and pelvic organ tumors.
Women experiencing prolapse won’t always experience obvious symptoms. As prolapse progresses, the symptoms may become more apparent and painful. If you are experiencing prolapse, you may feel:
Pressure from your vagina
Pulling or aching in the lower abdomen
A bulge distended from the vagina
Incontinence (fecal or urinary) or the frequent urge to urinate
Painful or uncomfortable sexual intercourse
Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements (constipation)
Lower back pain