Article by Danielle Roberts
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition that affects many women. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable, and sometimes can be awkward or embarrassing to talk about. The incidence of this increases after childbirth and as women increase in age, but awareness and prevention strategies can help decrease the chances of developing this condition.
POP is the descent of the pelvic organs from their normal position into the vaginal canal. This happens when the supporting tissues (pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues) weaken, and one or more organs then drop into the vagina. These are the different types:
As POP can be caused by multiple factors, there is no single strategy to prevent the development of this condition. We cannot change the genetic risk of POP (which impacts the strength of the connective tissue); however, we can modify several lifestyle choices to help reduce the risk of developing POP.
If you think you may have a POP, check in with your doctor and book an assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Pelvic floor exercises can significantly improve the management of your symptoms and prevent this condition from worsening. Your doctor may also recommend seeing a gynecologist for a pessary. A pessary is a silicone medical device that is placed inside the vagina to support the pelvic organs. It is fitted specifically to you and is removable. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended and would be determined after a consult with a specialist.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-pelvic-organ-prolapse
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24046-pelvic-organ-prolapse
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