A prolapse is a medical condition where an organ or tissue falls down or slips from its normal position. A pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that occurs when the structures, such as the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or the vagina itself, fall out from their normal position.
Utero-vaginal prolapse is a downward movement of the uterus and/or vagina. The main cause of the prolapse is weakness in the supporting tissues of the uterus and vagina. The common factors, such as the frequent lifting of heavy objects, chronic cough, severe constipation, menopause, childbirth, and pregnancy may increase your risk of developing a uterovaginal prolapse.
A woman with a mild prolapse may not experience any symptoms. However, women with more severe forms of prolapse may experience:
A dragging sensation in the lower abdomen or pelvis
An uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the vagina
Low back pain
Urinary problems, such as urine leakage or urine retention
Difficulty in urinating and emptying the bowel
Vaginal bleeding or discharge
Your doctor will diagnose the condition by taking a detailed history and performing a physical examination. During the examination, you may be asked to cough or bear down. The doctor may also perform computerised testing of the bladder to test for urinary leakage.
If the symptoms are mild, non-surgical treatment options, such as medications, pelvic floor exercises, vaginal pessary (a device that is inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic floor), oestrogen-containing vaginal cream, and lifestyle changes, may be helpful.
Surgery can be considered in patients with severe symptoms of uterovaginal prolapse. There are different types of procedures to address the prolapse, such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), hitching up the bladder or vagina, or repair and ‘tightening’ of the vagina. The surgery may be done through an incision in either the abdomen or the vagina, depending upon the condition. The aim of the surgery is to restore the normal anatomy and function of the pelvic organs.
If left untreated, severe cases of utero-vaginal prolapse can cause ulceration and infection of the cervix and vaginal walls, urinary tract infections, lower tract bleeding, thickening of the skin of the cervix, urinary obstruction, and worsening of the prolapse.
Although utero-vaginal prolapse is not always preventable, there are certain measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of developing utero-vaginal prolapse or prevent it from getting worse. These include:
Perform Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth
Do not bear down when giving birth until your cervix is completely dilated
Take hormone replacement therapy after the menopause
Avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements, after delivery
Avoid heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and chronic coughing
Perform pelvic floor exercises on a regular basis
