Half of women will develop pelvic organ prolapse. Here are the signs

The pelvic floor muscles undergo many changes throughout life, such as after childbirth and during menopause. In some cases, these muscles and the connective tissue surrounding them can weaken so much that the organs in the pelvis, including the uterus or bladder, begin to sag. This is known as pelvic organ prolapse, or POP.

on 50% of women They will develop POP at some point in their life, and it is more likely to happen as you get older.

“It’s very common, but in many cases, it doesn’t actually affect the patient at all.” Whitney Horner, MD, says a urologist at the University of Washington Medicine in Seattle.

Although POP can cause symptoms, such as a feeling of fullness in the vagina, pelvic pain or pressure, or bowel or urinary changes, POP is not always bothersome, Dr. Horner says. only 3% to 6% in women Survey data shows that they suffer from symptoms of vaginal distension. Many people live with this condition, with mild or no symptoms.

However, doctors say you should be aware of the possibility of POP, understand the risk factors and symptoms, and know what to do when it starts affecting your life.

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue, and nerves that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, vagina, small intestine, and rectum. This system keeps the organs in their correct places, he says Yale Medicine.

When the pelvic floor is weakened or damaged, the pelvic organs can fall out of their normal positions, causing POP. Shawn Adair, MDsays a urologist at Atlantic Health in Morristown, New Jersey.

“The vaginal tissue collapses downward, almost like the roof of a house collapses, and can pull down the anterior wall, the posterior wall, or the upper wall of the vagina.” Julia Geynisman-Tan, MDsays a urologist and pelvic reconstructive surgeon at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago.

Sometimes, the organs descend into the vagina, and in advanced cases, they protrude from the vaginal opening, says Dr. Horner. Dr. Gainsman Tan adds that this process usually occurs gradually.

Who is most at risk?

Age is the most common risk factor. As you age, estrogen levels decline, weakening the tissues in your pelvis, Dr. Horner says. So it could be POP Common during perimenopause And menopause.

Another risk factor is pregnancy and vaginal delivery (which includes approx 65% of births), which can damage the pelvic floor, says Dr. Adair. “numerous studies Vaginal delivery, higher number of pregnancies, and higher birth weight babies have been shown to significantly increase the risk of prolapse.