For all of those who have had or are planning to undergo surgery, please consider this thought: If you were having a major surgery else where on your body, such a knee or hip replacement, you would traditionally undergo physical therapy.
Why not with prolapse repairs?
Q: What is Prolapse?
A: Prolapse is the dropping of an organ down its own canal. An example is the uterus falling down the vaginal canal. Other organs can also descend through the vaginal canal such as the bladder which is referred to as a Cystocele. According to the American Journal of Gynecology, cystoceles are the most common type of prolapse accounting for 34% of all cases.
Q: Can it affect me?
A: According to the Journal of International Urogynecology, up to 50% of women have some degree of prolapse upon vaginal examination. Surgery for prolapse is as common as 1 in 5 women.
Q: What are common symptoms?
A: Initial grades of prolapse are often asymptomatic. In later stages common symptoms include palpation of tissue when wiping that did not use to be present, pelvic pressure or heaviness that increases with longer duration spent standing and reduces when lying down, and difficulty with urinary stream/bowel movements.
Q: Who is at risk?
A: History of child birth and obesity have the strongest correlation to developing prolapse. Other factors that can contribute are hysterectomy, connective tissue laxity disorders, chronic constipation, chronic coughing, and repetitive lifting.
Q: What can I do to help improve and prevent symptoms?
A: Considering prolapse is very common and undetectable often till later stages, prevention is key. Kegel exercises have been studied to effectively improve prolapse in early stages of grade 1 and 2. Physical therapy can help modify risk factors such as constipation management, improving pelvic floor and core strength and eliminate unsafe exercise that may be contributing. In later states of prolapse, physical therapy in conjection with pessaries and possible surgery can be successful in helping to reduce reoccurrence. According to the American Journal of Obstetric Gynecology, the reoccurrence rate of prolapse symptoms 7 years after surgery is 30%.
Thank you to e-cards for the picture!