If you suffer from a weak pelvic floor or pelvic organ prolapse, you’re not alone. An estimated 12-19% of women will be diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse, or POP, and will need surgery. While men can also suffer from pelvic floor-related issues, in this article we’re going to focus on women.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
In very simple terms, the pelvic floor is what helps control the bladder and bowels and consists of a span of muscles at the bottom of the pelvis which supports organs, including:
The uterus (or womb)
The bladder (the pouch into which urine is deposited)
The prostate
The rectum (the area at the end of the large intestine where solid waste is stored)
In short, the pelvic floor is a structure that keeps everything in alignment as it should be.
What is Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
Pelvic floor prolapse is a condition where one or more pelvic organs (i.e. the uterus, bowel, bladder, or the top of the vagina) drop from their normal position causing a bulging sensation in the vagina.
Although POP (pelvic organ prolapse) isn’t life-threatening, patients often say they have pain or discomfort as a result of the condition.
If the prolapse is mild, the sinking organs may return to their normal position or improve as a result of physician-prescribed exercises. However, you and your doctor should monitor symptoms because POP can worsen with time.
In cases of mild prolapse, a doctor may prescribe exercises – like the Kegel – initially, but if symptoms don’t improve or are getting worse, your urologist may recommend surgery.
How Do I Know if I Might Have a Pelvic Floor Issue?
Even if your symptoms are mild, any or all of the following eight indicators can point to pelvic floor prolapse:
Feeling fullness, heaviness, or pain in the pelvic area can be signs of a prolapse. In some women, even the act of coughing can bring on symptoms.
Pain in the lower back
A bulging sensation in the vagina
Repetitive bladder infections
Problems with defecation
Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
Difficulty inserting a tampon
If symptoms persist or worsen, your urologist may recommend surgery to correct the problem.
Things to Know about Pelvic Surgery
Sacrocolpopexy is a surgery that repairs prolapse of the vaginal vault to return the vagina to its normal position and function.
Cystocele is a condition that results when the wall between the bladder and vagina weakens causing the bladder to drop into the vagina). Cystocele repair is a procedure that targets the bladder specifically.
The good news is that surgery to address pelvic floor prolapse is in general a minimally invasive technique that allows doctors to reconstruct the pelvic floor without making a large abdominal incision using a procedure called a laparoscopic colposuspension
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery
The procedure involves a robotic surgical platform. This platform consists of a four-armed robot (one arm controls a high-definition camera; the other three arms control the instruments).
The surgeon can control the robotic arms to achieve maximal dexterity, precision, and maneuverability. (It’s important to note that the surgeon is always in control; the robotic arms are never in control of the surgery itself.)
About 75.5% of patients who have had surgery reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied
with the results and 83.1% reported an improvement of symptoms as compared to their condition prior to surgery.
Call the Experts
If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with pelvic floor issues, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor.
The urologists at Norman Urology are dedicated to providing the highest level of care for women, men, and children.
We are committed to the detection, treatment, and prevention of urologic diseases using the latest technology and techniques, and our doctors can also walk you through the best, most effective exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor.
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with pelvic floor issues, schedule an appointment with us today.