Your Pelvic Health
Pregnancy / Postpartum Pelvic Floor Treatment
The pelvic area is susceptible to several abnormalities, especially after giving birth. One classic example is pelvic organ prolapse, which encompasses urinary incontinence.
According to reports, these disorders affect 20% of all the women in the United States. Additionally, pelvic floor prolapse seems to affect 3% of the female population in the U.S.
The common signs and symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
By far, the most common symptom associated with pelvic organ prolapse is a sensation of pressure in the region, especially during exercise or sexual intercourse.
This is due to the weakening of the muscles, which pushes the organs to drop into the vagina.
Other symptoms may also include:
- Sensing a bulge coming out of the vagina.
- Feeling discomfort or aching in the pelvis (gets worse by coughing).
- Associated symptoms of urinary incontinence.
The causes of pelvic organ prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and connective tissues are not functioning properly.
Common risk factors of this disorder include:
Vaginal childbirth – while it’s the preferred route of childbirth, vaginal delivery stretches the muscles and weakens them.
Elevated birth weight – the larger the size of your baby, the more stretching that occurs in the pelvic region.
Advanced age – according to statistics, pelvic organ prolapse is more common in older women.
Family history – having a relative with pelvic organ prolapse increases your risk of this condition.
The Diagnosis of Pelvic Floor Prolapse
The diagnosis of pelvic floor prolapse revolves around the following steps:
- History of the patient – by asking you about the nature, severity, and duration of your symptoms, the doctor will be able to narrow down the diagnosis.
- Physical examination – during this step, your healthcare provider will perform a thorough physical examination to assess the muscles and organs of the pelvic region.
- Other tests – these tests could be biological (e.g., urinalysis) or radiological (e.g., CT scan, MRI).
The Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The treatment of disorders that affect the pelvic region varies from one case to another. The factors taken into consideration include the underlying cause, symptoms, affected organs, and other comorbidities.
In summary, your healthcare provider will opt for the following treatments:
Pelvic floor therapy – this treatment includes the practice of certain exercises that increase the tonicity of your muscles.
Dietary modifications – consuming more fiber-rich foods improves constipation, which is a key factor that increases the pressure in your pelvic region.
Surgery – surgery is an optional treatment to restore the tonicity of the muscles and cure all conditions related to pelvic health.
The good news is that Women’s Health Specialists offer a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic plan to help you with any condition that affects the pelvic region. Click here for more information.