Plain Talk About Pelvic Floor Prolapse
Nearly one-quarter of all women experience a pelvic floor disorder, such as pelvic floor weakness. That’s because pregnancy, childbirth, hysterectomies, menopause, obesity, and chronic constipation can all weaken the pelvic floor.
The vagina and its surrounding structures – your bladder, rectum, uterus, etc. – are attached to the pelvis by connective tissues. If these pelvic tissues (i.e. muscles and ligaments) become weak or injured, the structures within the pelvis can bulge into the vaginal wall, creating a protrusion that drops down into the vaginal canal or even outside the vaginal opening. It can be quite uncomfortable and interfere with many things, including sexual intimacy.
Also called pelvic prolapse, this is a condition that women often live with in secret because they are too bewildered or self-conscious to talk about it. But I’m here to give it to you straight ladies; we talk candidly about our sagging butts and aching knees – your pelvic organs deserve the same straight talk.
What body parts can fall into the vaginal cavity?
Four body parts can prolapse in a woman’s body. They are:
- The bladder: this occurs when the muscles between the bladder and the vagina weaken, causing the back wall of the bladder to bulge into the vagina.
- The rectum: this occurs when the wall between the rectum and the vagina weakens, causing the front wall of the rectum to push into the vagina
- The uterus: it can slip into the vagina and possibly through the vaginal opening (partially).
- The bowel: this is when the small bowel protrudes into the top of the vagina; it is more common in women who have had hysterectomies.
How do I know if I have pelvic prolapse?
Prolapse is a condition that is marked by several symptoms, including a sensation of heaviness, pain, or fullness in the vagina. It can also cause discomfort during sex, loss of bladder and/or bowel function, involuntary urination or inconsistent urinary stream, difficulty with bowel movements, and recurrent urinary or bladder infections. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention and get proper treatment.
Can you have sex with pelvic prolapse?
Yes, but many women don’t want to because prolapse impacts bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. Sex may be painful. Sex may no longer feel good because of the reduced sensation from weakened muscles. Or they may just be embarrassed.
How is pelvic floor weakness or prolapse treated?
There are a wide variety of treatments ranging from activity modifications and pelvic floor exercises to estrogen replacement therapy or the insertion of a small medical device that provides support to the vagina. There are also surgical options.
If you experience symptoms, such as pain during intercourse, pressure in the pelvis, or a lump of tissue at the opening of the vagina, see a urologist right away. A urologist can diagnose the presence of a prolapse with one exam and recommend treatment options.
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