June is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness month
Pelvic organ prolapse, or POP, is a common condition that can happen to anyone, not just older individuals who have given birth.
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the organs in the pelvis “fall down” and bulge into the vaginal canal. While this is not life-threatening, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for some patients. I want to emphasize some patients because not everyone with POP will have discomfort and pain.
Types of POP
- Cystocele: This type of POP is when the bladder protrudes backward (toward the rectum) into the vaginal canal and, in severe cases, outside the vaginal opening.
- Urethrocele: This type of POP is similar to cystocele; however, in this case, the urethra is the pelvic organ that is protruding into the vaginal canal.
- Enterocele: Protrusion of the small bowel into the vagina.
- Uterovaginal prolapse: This type of prolapse is when the uterus descends into the vaginal canal.
- Rectocele: This type of prolapse involves the rectum protruding forward into the vaginal canal and, in some cases, outside the vaginal opening.
Keep in mind that multiple types of POP can occur at the same time. Along with the types, POP is also categorized into stages. The stages are numbered 1-4, with 1 being a slight bulge and Stage 4 being full descent outside of the vaginal opening. The stage can change throughout the day based on the type of activity performed.
Causes of POP
- Many factors can contribute to the development and progression of POP. It is commonly thought to occur only in elderly women. However, POP can occur for many different reasons.
POP is very common after giving birth. This can be due to a variety of reasons, but the most common explanation is the use of purple pushing. Purple pushing is when the birthing person is instructed to hold their breath and push down with all of their might to get the baby out. Although this is effective to get the baby out quickly, it can cause a variety of issues postpartum, including POP. Your pelvic floor therapist can properly instruct you on how to breathe during labor to minimize the risk of POP. - Older age: An effect of getting older is the weakening of connective tissue throughout the entire body. The pelvic floor and ligaments holding up the pelvic organs are no exception.
- Increased pressure on the abdomen and pelvic floor. Increasing the work that the pelvic floor has to do fatigues the pelvic floor. At that point, it is no longer able to do its job of holding up the pelvic organs. Examples of this include excessive straining from coughing and sneezing, obesity, and improper pressure management. All of these issues can be addressed by a pelvic floor physical therapist.
- Birthing a baby over 8.5 lbs. Large babies cause the birthing person to strain more, which leads to increased downward pressure.
- Hormonal changes. Hormones can change for a variety of reasons, but during menopause, estrogen levels drop much lower than they ever had in a healthy female. There is no known cause as to why this hormone change can lead to pelvic organ prolapse.
- Family history might be a potential cause, but this is still being investigated.
Symptoms of POP
- Bulge in or outside the vagina
- Feeling or pressure, aching or fullness in the vagina, perineum, or pelvis
- Pelvic pressure that gets worse throughout the day or with activities such as standing, coughing, sneezing, jumping, or lifting
- Difficulty inserting anything, including a tampon, into the vaginal canal
- Incontinence
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
How to Fix it
Get help from a pelvic floor physical therapist at Revive Physical Therapy in Issaquah, WA as soon as you experience symptoms. Waiting until prolapse gets to Stage 4 limits your options. However, a pelvic floor therapist will be able to help you manage and improve symptoms that can change your quality of life.
Other options can include a pessary, which can be inserted by a doctor or a trained pelvic floor PT.
Surgery is also an option for cases of severe pelvic organ prolapse.
Call Revive PT today so we can help you with your pelvic organ prolapse!
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, know that we are here to help. We are here to help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. Call us today to find out how! We look forward to helping you on your journey with pelvic organ prolapse.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/
https://www.apta.org/news/2017/10/23/researchers-find-no-evidence-for-popular-treatment-for-ui-pop
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw12330#:~:text=Urethrocele%20(urethral%20prolapse)%20is%20a,place%20get%20weak%20or%20damaged.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542211/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/pelvic-organ-prolapse