5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE (POP)
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is the descent of one or more of the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, rectum or small intensities), at or near the vaginal opening, which may or may not be accompanied with perineal pressure (pressure between your vagina and anus).
- POP is considered a FUNCTIONAL PROBLEM – What does this mean? Our pelvic organs are largely supported and held in place by our pelvic floor muscles and surrounding connective tissues, which includes the ligaments and fascia. When there is a change in the integrity and strength of the pelvic floor musculature and/or the connective tissues, this leads to decreased support for the pelvic organs, thus resulting in lowering of the organs into the vaginal canal from their anatomical position.
- Symptoms associated with POP include bulging at or near the vaginal opening, feelings of heaviness or pressure in your vagina or rectum, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, incomplete emptying of bowel or bladder (straining to have BM or to urinate), discomfort/pain with sexual intercourse, and feeling that your “insides” are falling out.
- The risk of POP increases with the number of deliveries that a woman experiences, with the use of instruments during vaginal deliveries including forceps and suction, and with any obstetrical and/or gynaecological surgeries including a hysterectomy. Other risk factors include Menopause, Genetics, straining with toileting and/or heavy lifting, age, etc.
- Treatment options include pelvic floor physiotherapy where your therapist would develop a problem incorporating a combination of active treatment, lifestyle and behavioural modifications. Other treatment options include the use of a removable prosthetic device called a pessary or surgery.
- Hagen S, Stark D. (2011). Conservative prevention and management of pelvic organ prolapse in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (12), CD003882.
- Saunders K. (2017). Recent advances in understanding pelvic- floor tissue of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse: considerations for physical therapists. Phys Ther. 97(4), 455–463.