What is Uterine Prolapse?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse is a common condition that occurs when the uterus or womb of a woman slips or sags from its normal position into the vagina (birth canal). The pelvic floor muscles and ligaments (the muscles and ligaments supporting the pelvic organs, which are the organs present below the stomach region) usually support the uterus. In case of uterine prolapse, the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken and can no longer provide enough support for the uterus, resulting in the uterus slipping down into or protruding out of the vagina. Uterine prolapse is most often seen in women after menopause (stopping of the menstrual periods), but it can affect women of any age. Mild cases of uterine prolapse generally do not require any form of treatment. However, if uterine prolapse disrupts your normal life or causes discomfort, treatment may be needed. In this article, we will be discussing in detail uterine prolapse treatment.
- What are the types of Uterine Prolapse?
- What are the different stages of Uterine Prolapse?
- What are the causes of Uterine Prolapse?
- What are the risk factors of Uterine Prolapse?
- What are the symptoms of Uterine Prolapse?
- How to diagnose Uterine Prolapse?
- What is the treatment of Uterine Prolapse?
- What are the complications of Uterine Prolapse?
- How to prevent Uterine Prolapse?
What are the types of Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse can be of the following types:
- Incomplete uterine prolapse: It is a condition in which the uterus is displaced into the vagina partially, but it does not protrude out.
- Complete uterine prolapse: A part of the uterus protrudes from the vaginal opening.
( Know more about- What is Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery? )
What are the different stages of Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse is graded according to its severity, depending on how far the uterus has descended:
- 1st grade: When the uterus has descended to the upper part of the vagina.
- 2nd grade: When the uterus has descended to the introitus (the vaginal opening).
- 3rd grade: When the cervix (the lowermost part of the uterus) has descended outside the introitus.
- 4th grade: When the cervix and uterus have descended outside the introitus.
Early stages can be treated by exercises. Severe cases of uterine prolapse may require surgery.
( Know more about- What are the common gynecological problems in females? )
What are the causes of Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse occurs due to the weakened pelvic floor muscles and their supporting tissues. The various causes of weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues are:
- Pregnancy
- Aging, which causes loss of muscle tone
- Obesity or being overweight
- Trauma during childbirth
- Difficult labor and delivery
- Giving birth to a large baby or multiple babies
- Low estrogen (female sex hormone) levels following menopause
- Straining during bowel movements
- Chronic (long-term) constipation
- Chronic cough
- Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes, that carry air to and from the lungs)
- Lifting of heavy objects repeatedly
( Know more about- What is IVF? )
What are the risk factors of Uterine Prolapse?
Certain factors increase the risk of developing uterine prolapse and may include:
- Family history of uterine prolapse
- A history of one or more normal deliveries (vaginally)
- Post-menopausal women
- Excess weight lifting
- Being white
- Smoking
- Obesity
- History of a previous pelvic surgery
- Chronic constipation
- Increase in age
( Know more about- What is Cervical Cancer? )
What are the symptoms of Uterine Prolapse?
There are no symptoms seen in mild cases of uterine prolapse. The symptoms of moderate to severe type of uterine prolapse include:
- Heaviness or pulling sensation in the pelvis region
- Protrusion of tissue from the vagina
- Urinary problems like urine retention or urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine)
- Trouble in having bowel movements
- Sexual problems, like a feeling of looseness in the vaginal tissue tone
- A feeling as if something is falling out of the vagina
( Know more about- What is stress urinary incontinence? )
How to diagnose Uterine Prolapse?
- Physical examination: The doctor will examine you physically and ask you about your symptoms. Your medical history, pregnancy and childbirth history, and family history are noted.
- Pelvic exam: The doctor will ask you to bear down as if you are having a bowel movement to check how far the uterus has slipped into the vagina. The doctor will also tighten your pelvic muscles as if you are trying to stop a stream of urine to assess the strength of the pelvic muscles.
- Urodynamic testing: This test helps in measuring how well the bladder is functioning.
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or renal sonography: A dye is injected into the vein and a series of x-rays are taken to view the progress of the dye through the bladder. This test is recommended in cases of ureteral obstruction (blockage in one of the tubes carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder) due to complete uterine prolapse.
- Ultrasound: This test involves the use of a wand that is passed over the abdomen or inserted into the vagina for creating images of the internal organs of the body. This test helps to rule out other pelvic disorders.
- Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This is an imaging test done when more than one organ has prolapsed, or to help in planning surgery.
( Know more about- What are the Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic procedures? )
What is the treatment of Uterine Prolapse?
The different treatment options, depending on the severity of the condition include:
- Self-care measures:
- In cases of few or no symptoms, simple self-care measures are adequate to provide relief and prevent worsening of the condition.
- Self-care measures include performing Kegel exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, losing excess weight, and treatment of constipation.
- Kegel exercises can be performed in the following way:
- Tighten or contract the pelvic floor muscles as if you are trying to prevent the passing of gas.
- Hold the contraction for about five seconds, and then relax for another five seconds.
- The timing can gradually be increased to 10 seconds at a time.
- Try to do three sets of 10 repetitions in one day.
- Pessary:
- A vaginal pessary is a rubber ring or plastic that is inserted into the vagina to support the bulging tissues.
- A pessary must be removed for regular cleaning.
- Surgery:
- Surgery may be performed vaginally or laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive procedure done by making a small incision in the abdomen and placing a thin, lighted tube with a camera on one end (a laparoscope), along with other surgical tools into the abdomen.
- The different surgical procedures done to treat uterine prolapse include:
- Hysterectomy and uterine prolapse repair: The surgical removal of the uterus is known as hysterectomy. This can be done by making a cut or incision through the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy) or in the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy). This procedure is major surgery and a future pregnancy is not possible after this procedure.
- Prolapse repair without hysterectomy: This procedure involves the placement of the uterus back into its normal position. The pelvic ligaments may be reattached to the lower part of the uterus to hold it in place. The procedure may be done through the vagina or abdomen, depending on the technique used. The surgeon may graft the patient’s own tissue, a donor tissue, or a synthetic material into the weakened pelvic floor structures to support the pelvic organs.
( Know more about- What is a Hysterectomy? )
What are the complications of Uterine Prolapse?
The complications of uterine prolapse may include:
- Cystocele or anterior prolapse or prolapsed bladder: The weakness of the connective tissue that separates the bladder and vagina causes the bladder to bulge into the vagina.
( Know more about- What is Cystocele? )
- Rectocele or posterior vaginal prolapse: The weakness of the connective tissue that separates the rectum and vagina causing the rectum to bulge into the vagina. This causes difficulty in having bowel movements.
- Vaginal sores or ulcers: In severe cases of uterine prolapse, a part of the vaginal lining can get displaced leading to its protrusion outside the body. The protruded vaginal tissue can run against the clothes to cause vaginal sores
- Infection of the vaginal sores.
- Pain during sex.
( Know more about- What is Hormonal imbalance in females? )
How to prevent Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse can be prevented in the following ways:
- Perform Kegel exercises regularly to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, especially after childbirth.
- Drink lots of fluids and eat a high-fiber diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans to prevent constipation.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects. When lifting something, use your legs instead of your back or waist.
- Quit smoking.
- Get treated for chronic cough or bronchitis.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
( Know more about- What is a C section Delivery? )
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Uterine Prolapse through this article.
If you need more information related to Uterine Prolapse Treatment, then you can contact a Gynecologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
