Genital Prolapse
Genital prolapse and its treatment have always been an important chapter of urogynecology. Many women silently suffer from this condition, unaware of the clinical implications and treatment alternatives available today to correct it surgically.
What is genital prolapse?
It consists of the descent through the vagina of the pelvic organs, which appears as a result of the weakening of the pelvic floor support. This descent may occur in one or more of the following areas:
Descent of the urethra and/or bladder.
Descent of the uterus or vaginal vault.
Descending bowel involving the vagina.
What is the pelvic floor?
It is a set of muscles, ligaments, connective tissue, and nerves that allow the support, control and proper function of the uterus, vagina, urethra, bladder and rectum.
What are the causes of prolapse?
There is no single cause, but several predisposing conditions have been identified that can occur simultaneously:
- Trauma during vaginal delivery, multiparity or large fetuses (over 8 pounds).
- Poor quality of the ligaments and muscles supporting the pelvic organs.
- Hormonal alterations (menopause).
- Obesity, advanced age, or previous pelvic surgeries.
- It can also occur in young, childless women, when there is a history of neurological pathologies, family history or collagen-related diseases.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The symptoms vary depending on the type of prolapse, but there are a few obvious signs you can tell your urogynecologist about:
- Feeling of vaginal heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen.
- Sensation of a lump in the genitals.
- Difficulty, pain, or dissatisfaction with sexual intercourse.
- Constipation or alterations in defecation.
- Involuntary loss of urine, increased urinary frequency, urgency to urinate or sensation of not completely emptying the bladder.
