Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which a weakness of the pelvic floor muscles causes internal organs to shift from their normal position, creating a “herniation” into the vagina. Pregnancy, childbirth, obesity and heavy exercise may stretch the tissues and ligaments that hold the bladder, uterus, urethra and small intestine in the pelvis. You may have a feeling of pelvic heaviness or fullness, as though something is falling out of the vagina, pulling or aching feeling in the lower abdomen, groin or lower back, leakage of urine or problems having a bowel movement and in severe cases, bulging of the pelvic organs into the vagina.

The Facts are that:

• Women who suffer from pelvic organ disorders tend to under report their condition due to embarrassment.
• More than 50% of women age 50 and older suffer one or more of the problems caused by pelvic organ dysfunction.
• By age 80, more than one in every 10 women will have undergone surgery for prolapse.
• 8 times more women than men suffer from a pelvic organ disorder.
• 1 out of 3 women will suffer sphincter muscle damage due to vaginal childbirth.

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer with it. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse, you should schedule and appointment with a urologist. Dr. Elizabeth Houser, Dr. Melody Denson, and Dr. Elizabeth Rutledge specializes in the medical and surgical management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. To learn more about Pelvic organ prolapse, click here.