Treating pelvic organ prolapse with and without surgery

Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns utilize non-surgical and surgical methods when treating pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is a pelvic support problem that occurs when the vagina, uterus, urethra, bladder or rectum drop down from their usual position. This drop happens when the muscles and connective tissue are unable to support the pelvic organs properly.

Our obgyns have several options when treating pelvic organ prolapse

Treating pelvic organ prolapse is an individualized process, based on the patient’s severity of symptoms. Some patients who have a prolapsed organ may not have symptoms or need any treatment, and our obgyns simply monitor the situation. Other women may experience mild to severe symptoms.

• Feelings of fullness or pressure in the pelvis
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Feeling like something is pulling or aching in the pelvic or lower abdominal area
• Problems emptying the bladder completely or having bowel movements
• Pain in the lower back
• Urinary incontinence issues
• Feeling organs bulge out of the vagina

Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical methods of treating pelvic organ prolapse work well for women with mild to moderate symptoms. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns can suggest a variety of options.

Lifestyle options include making changes to one’s diet and fluid consumption to relieve symptoms. Women may benefit from bladder training, or working towards a schedule for emptying the bladder. Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles are also beneficial. Treating symptoms with estrogen hormone therapy works for some women who are in perimenopause or menopause.

Physical therapy is another way of treating pelvic organ prolapse. Therapists utilize biofeedback to help women learn how to strengthen their pelvic muscles correctly.

Pessaries are devices that women place in the vagina to help hold prolapsed pelvic organs in their proper position.

Surgeries for treating pelvic organ prolapse

Women who have severe symptoms may benefit from surgery for treating pelvic organ prolapse. The type of surgery depends upon the location and severity of the organ prolapse. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns perform minimally invasive gynecological surgery to reconstruct the pelvic floor in order to help move and hold the prolapsed organs back in their proper position.

Vaginal or laparoscopic procedures allow patients to recover more quickly with a decreased risk of bleeding and infection than with traditional surgeries.

Changes women can make to prevent problems

One method for treating pelvic organ prolapse our physicians recommend is for women to adopt behaviors to help alleviate symptoms and prevent the problem from becoming more severe.

• Stop smoking
• Seek treatment for problems such as constipation or a chronic cough that strain the pelvic floor area
• Get to and maintain a normal weight
• Perform exercises to strengthen the core and pelvic floor muscles
• Avoid straining during bowel movements
• Avoid lifting heavy loads or items

Women do not need to suffer in silence. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns have the experience and training necessary for treating pelvic organ prolapse. Contact us for an appointment.