The One Word Every Woman Must Know

Ladies, we’ve been let down. Women have not received enough education about pelvic health. For most women, the first time they hear the word prolapse is after it happens to them. This must change.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more of your pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus, or rectum) falls out of place inside your body. When an organ falls out of place, it takes up space inside your vagina. Most women describe it as a “bulge.” Are your eyes bulging right now?

How Common Is This?

Prolapse affects 30 percent of women between 20 and 59 years of age and more than half of women over 50. When something affects more than 50 percent of the female population, we deserve to be better educated about what it is, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.

How Does This Happen?

The pelvic organs are supported by a critical “shelf” or “hammock” of muscles called the pelvic floor. If these muscles are not able to do their job efficiently, prolapse can occur.

Prolapse can be mild or severe. When it’s mild (Stage 1 or 2), the bulge is higher up inside the vagina. When it’s more severe (Stage 3), the bulge can extend all the way to the vaginal opening. At Stage 4, the bulge extends outside the body. I know, shocking, right?

What Symptoms Would I Feel If I Have a Prolapse?

Most women report a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis. It can feel like something is going to fall out. It can happen gradually, or it can happen suddenly, such as during a high-impact workout or while doing the dishes. Those are true stories from clients UROSPOT has helped.

There Are Three Types of Prolapse

Uterine prolapse – The uterus descends into the vagina, or the cervix sits lower in the vagina than normal.

Rectal prolapse (Rectocele) – The rectum creates the bulge in the vagina, while the vaginal wall still covers the organ.

Bladder prolapse (Cystocele) – The bladder creates a bulge in the vagina, with the vaginal wall covering it. Some women refer to this as a “dropped bladder.”

Will Prolapse Get Worse?

Here are four steps you can take to help prevent prolapse or stabilize an existing prolapse so it doesn’t get worse:

1. Strengthen your pelvic floor. At UROSPOT, a private urology-focused clinic in your neighbourhood, we do this with the Kegel Throne. While you sit fully clothed, this dignified medical device, which looks like a futuristic chair, performs the equivalent of 11,000 Kegels in just 28 minutes. We combine this with education and health coaching to help you better understand your body and prevent or manage prolapse. The best part is that you can use your physiotherapy benefits to cover a portion of the cost.
2. Stay regular. Constipation can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse, and it can also be a symptom of prolapse. Avoid straining.
3. Take a load off. Lifting, pulling, and straining can make things worse. When exercising, choose low-impact activities instead of high-impact workouts whenever possible.
4. Stop smoking and maintain a healthy weight. Smoking can worsen prolapse symptoms and weaken the tissues that support your pelvic muscles. Extra weight also places additional pressure on your pelvic floor.

The key is taking action. Women often put everyone else’s health before their own. It’s important to maintain your independence and live with freedom and confidence.

If you want to strengthen your pelvic floor while remaining fully clothed, come in for a complimentary consultation at UROSPOT. Our interdisciplinary team of pelvic health experts can’t wait to meet you.

For more information, call 289-443-2200, email ancaster@urospot.com, or visit urospot.com/hamilton.