Treatments for a Pelvic Organ Prolapse

A pelvic organ prolapse is an unusual complication that can arise among women who've delivered babies or had surgery. There are a number of treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse. The most suitable treatment option will depend on the severity of symptoms, the severity of the prolapse, the age and health of the affected person as well as whether or not the person plans to have children in future. Another factor to consider when choosing the most appropriate treatment option is whether the patient is experiencing discomfort or inconvenience. The main aim of seeking treatment is to ensure that the condition does not get worse. Pelvic organ prolapse has both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Choosing the treatment option that will work for you will require that you work with your urogynecologist. The top three treatments for pelvic organ prolapse are pelvic floor exercises, vaginal pessaries and surgery. Learn more about these treatments.

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  1. When are the different treatment options appropriate?
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    When the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse are not severe and the condition is still mild, the most appropriate treatment options would be pelvic floor exercises and vaginal pessaries. These treatment options are also applied when both the patient and doctor want to delay or avoid any surgical procedures. Surgery is usually considered in cases where the patient complains of discomfort and inconvenience. Corrective surgery is a definitive solution for treating prolapse and incontinence.

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  2. How do pelvic floor exercises address pelvic organ prolapse?
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    Kegel exercises address pelvic organ prolapse by contracting and releasing the muscles of the pelvic floor. This strengthens the pelvic floor and helps to both relieve and stop the progression of prolapse. Women who perform pelvic floor exercises on a daily basis for a period of six months are more likely to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Clinicians and physiotherapists can help patients to perform these exercises in the proper way.

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  3. What are the side effects of vaginal pessaries?
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    Although vaginal pessaries is one of the top treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse, ring pessaries can result in irritation, vaginal discharge and in some cases sores and bleeding inside the vagina. Those who go for this option may also experience the passing of small amounts of urine when they sneeze, cough or exercise. There could also be difficulty in bowel movement or interference with the sex life of the individual. The good news is that all these side effects can be successfully treated.

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  4. What are the available treatment options under surgery?
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    When the situation has been assessed and the possible benefits of surgery are found to outweigh the risks, surgery can be pursued as a treatment option. Surgery is a common treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse, with one out of 10 women likely to undergo the procedure by the time they reach the age of 80. The different surgical procedures used to treat this condition are surgical repair, vaginal mesh and hysterectomy.

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  5. What complications can arise from surgery?
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    All types of surgery are associated with some risks. While surgeons will explain the risks involved in detail, it is important to be aware of the common risks. Some of these risks include risks relating to anesthesia, bleeding, infections, damage to organs around the pelvic area, pain when engaging in sexual activity, vaginal discharge and bleeding, more prolapse symptoms and blood clots in the veins. There are a number of measures that are usually taken to address these common problems.

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  6. Can these three treatment options treat pelvic organ prolapse successfully?
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    These top three pelvic organ prolapse treatments are effective in treating the condition. However, the condition will not go away on its own if it is not addressed properly. It is only through treatment procedures that pelvic organ prolapse can be managed.

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  7. What can be done to prevent the condition from worsening?
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    There are a number of steps that those who have pelvic organ prolapse can take to ensure that they reduce the risk of the condition getting worse. This may include losing weight for those who are overweight, eating a high-fiber diet, giving up smoking and avoiding standing up for long or heavy lifting.

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  8. Which is the most effective treatment option among the three?
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    Pelvic floor exercises are a natural treatment option and can be performed at home while vaginal pessaries are a suitable alternative for treating severe conditions and avoiding surgery. Surgical procedures are more appropriate for the most severe conditions.

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