Pelvic Prolapse/Pressure

Pregnancy and childbirth, obesity and straining can damage or weaken the ligaments, muscles and tissues that support your pelvic organs. After menopause, the loss of estrogen may make these problems worse. Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists offers pelvic support options for women suffering pelvic organ prolapse.

Symptoms of Pelvic Prolapse/Pressure Issues

Symptoms vary depending on the type of pelvic issue that affects you, but may include:

• Feeling of heaviness or fullness, as if something is falling out of the vagina.
• Pulling or aching in the lower abdomen, groin or lower back.
• Leaking of urine or problems having a bowel movement.
• Increase of symptoms after long periods of standing or with repeated coughing or straining.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse, similar to a hernia, happens when your organs bulge into the vagina. Different organs can prolapse into the vagina, and many women may have more than one type:

• The vaginal roof or walls can descend into the vagina.
• Your uterus or cervix may fall into the vagina.
• Parts of your bladder can drop, causing urine leakage.
• Small intestine or rectum can prolapse into the vagina.

Pelvic Prolapse Treatments

Several types of treatments are available to help with pelvic prolapse. Schedule an appointment with our gynecologic surgeons to see which option might be right for you:

• Lifestyle changes such as pelvic exercises, avoidance of heavy lifting/straining, or estrogen therapies.
• Pessary fitting, a removable ring-type device which pushes the pelvic organs back to their natural positions.
• Surgery. Various surgeries are available that can target and repair the different types of prolapse.