Vaginal Prolapse - Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Vaginal Prolapse occurs when the vagina is stretched, so much so that its front wall or back wall bulges when a women moves physically. In simple words, it’s not nothing but a change in the position of a woman's pelvic structure. A vaginal prolapse can cause the pelvic structures in a woman to protrude outside the vagina. This apparently causes discomfort to a woman, as the muscles will find it difficult to hold all the organs together.

The Causes Behind Vaginal Prolapse

• Childbirth: Many theories prove that childbirth is one of the most important causes for vaginal prolapse. It is a very common feature in women below 60 years of age. Multiple births can bring along the increased risk of complicating the prolapse.
• Obesity: It has been shown that women who are overweight are at a higher risk of getting this disorder. Hence it is necessary for you to maintain a proper body mass index (BMI) and to stay fit, so that you can be free of such conditions.
• Surgery: Vaginal prolapse can also be caused due to the gradual weakening of muscles and ligaments in a woman's body. You can face vaginal prolapse if you’ve had any form of surgery as this can increase your chances of contracting vaginal prolapse by weakening your muscles further.
• Menopause: Menopause is also cited as a risk causing factor for vaginal prolapse. As you near your menopause, it is advisable that you talk to your doctor about the many questions and concerns that you have regarding vaginal prolapse and other infections.
• Age: Research proves that your risk of developing vaginal prolapse actually increases as your grow older. Old age can cause muscles to weaken, and this is an understandable fact.
• Genetics: Any woman, whose mother or sister suffers from vaginal prolapse, has a good chance of getting this infection. This is because in rare cases, weak muscles can also be a genetic factor.
• Others: When women face repetitive strains on their body due to heavy weight lifting or constipation, then their risk of vaginal prolapse will be high.

Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Prolapse

There are certain signs and symptoms involved with vaginal prolapse that you need to keep an eye out for. The below mentioned are the common symptoms of vaginal prolapse.

• A heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the vaginal area
• A feeling of something protruding in the vagina, like an extension
• A small pulling sensation in the vagina
• Sudden bouts of pain during sexual intercourse
• Bleeding or vaginal spotting
• Lower back pain (which occurs frequently over time)
• Difficult to urinating and a burning sensation

To get your prolapse properly diagnosed, you should consult your general physician first and get your doubts clarified. If you are diagnosed with vaginal prolapse, it's advisable to meet a specialist.

Treatment of Vaginal Prolapse

Even though vaginal prolapse is very common among women, living with something so painful and uncomfortable is something that women learn to cope with over time. You should always opt for proper treatment for your condition, based on the type of vaginal prolapse that you’re suffering from. The following are the treatments available.

• Behavior Therapy: This form of therapy is all about making a few alterations in the way you live. Alterations can include eating healthy food, losing a few extra pounds, quitting smoking and avoid weight lifting. These things can help a woman and keep her from increasing the severity of her prolapse. This will help her lead a normal life, without any problems.
• Physical Therapy: Many doctors and physical therapists suggest regular pelvic muscle exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. These are very popular exercises that may help in toughening a woman’s pelvic floor muscles, and these exercises may also help in alleviating some symptoms of minor vaginal prolapse.
• Vaginal Pessary: This appliance can also be termed as a uterine prolapse pessary, and this is an appliance that is positioned into the vagina so that enough support if offered to the pelvic structures that are within and also to reduce the overall pressure on the bladder and bowel.
• Surgical Mesh: This treatment method is now followed by many doctors. The mesh treatment is proven to be as effective as normal traditional surgeries, while small cuts reduce the recovery time and the pain. Depending upon the requirement, the doctor chooses a biological or a synthetic mesh for the treatment.
• Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures: Such repair surgery is mainly focused towards changing the anatomical position of your vaginal structure and bringing it back to its normal state. This will help you’re your muscles support the inner organs in a better manner, and will help in holding your bladder and bowel in place, without any painful movements.

As seen on : URO/GYN: How is urge incontinence treated?

It is important to note that medications for vaginal prolapse are not available, as this is a purely physical condition. Opting for some of the above given measures can be very useful in coping with this condition.

lifemojo