How a Gynecologist Can Help Treat Pelvic Prolapse

Pelvic prolapse affects your pelvic organs and muscles. It happens when the pelvic tissues and muscles fail to support your pelvic organs, such as the rectum, bladder, and uterus. Seeing a gynecologist for regular checkups can help detect this condition early. Working with your doctor can prevent it from worsening. Here are the ways a gynecologist can help treat your pelvic prolapse.

Recommends pelvic floor exercises

These exercises can relieve pelvic prolapse symptoms and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The doctor can recommend a custom-fit treatment plan that can train the pelvic muscle floor. This treatment will be under supervision for at least 16 weeks. The patient needs to go through this before other treatments, including surgery. The doctor will show how to perform the pelvic floor exercises. Then, the patient will continue with each of them.

Places vaginal pessaries

Vaginal pessaries are silicone or latex devices that the doctor will insert into the vagina. Their purpose is to support pelvic organs and vaginal walls. Clinical data show that vaginal pessaries allow patients to get pregnant in the future. A patient with moderate to severe prolapse can experience relief with vaginal pessaries, especially if the patient does not want to have surgery.

The most common of these devices is the ring pessary. The patient may need to try on different sizes and shapes. This can help determine which can suit the patient the most. The gynecologist will fit a pessary. Removing this device will allow regular cleaning and replacement.

Suggests lifestyle changes

A pelvis prolapse that is mild or does not have any symptoms may improve with some lifestyle changes. These changes may stop the condition from worsening. Lifestyle modification can help lower a healthy woman’s risk for pelvic prolapse. Avoid constipation by eating a high-fiber diet. Refrain from lifting heavy items and lose excess weight.

Provides estrogen treatment

The doctor may suggest estrogen treatment for menopausal women with mild pelvic prolapse. This treatment can ease some of the symptoms. Numbness during intercourse and vaginal dryness are a couple of these symptoms. Patients can get estrogen in the form of vaginal rings, creams, and tablets the patient must insert into the vagina.

Performs surgery

This is an option for patients who have severe pelvic prolapse. If this is the case, non-surgical solutions do not work for them. The doctor will discuss the benefits of each surgery with the patient. Here are the different types of surgery for pelvic prolapse:

• A hysterectomy is for a menopausal patient with a prolapsed uterus. It may also be for a woman who does not want to have more kids. The gynecologist may suggest a hysterectomy or the removal of the womb. This surgery can reduce the possible return of a pelvic prolapse.
• Surgical repair involves many kinds of surgery that aim to support and lift the pelvic organs. The doctor could stitch them into place. Doing so can strengthen the tissues in the area.
• Vaginal mesh surgery involves the placement of a synthetic mesh. This net-like device can hold the pelvic organs together. This mesh will become a permanent part of the patient’s body.
• Vaginal closure seals off a part or all of the vagina. The gynecologist can offer this surgery to patients with advanced pelvic prolapse. This procedure may be ideal for frail patients.

A gynecologist can improve your pelvic prolapse symptoms

Pelvic prolapse can cause discomfort. Regular checkups with your gynecologist can catch early symptoms of this condition. Working with your doctor can result in preventive and non-surgical treatments. Your risks of developing pelvic prolapse may lower, and your quality of life may improve.

Get more information about Donald Eckhardt Jr., M.D. , Kari Eckhardt W.H.N.P., C.N.M. in Tomball at https://eckhardtobgyn.com.

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