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What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Hi Freya Family! Today we’re chatting about a pelvic floor condition that doesn’t always come up in everyday conversation but is important to know about and more common than you might think. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)  is when the pelvic floor muscles and tissues weaken, leading to the descent of pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum into the vaginal canal. For those discovering they have prolapse it can initially be very scary and feel isolating, however we want you to know that we’re here for you! In most cases, it can be treated/managed through a conservative and holistic approach. 



Some stats on Pelvic Organ Prolapse:

  • Roughly ⅔ of women who have given birth present with anatomical evidence of POP

  • The majority of women with evidence of POP are asymptomatic 

  • Around 40% of all women ages 45-85 years have evidence of POP

  • Only 12% of these women experience symptoms

  • Lifetime risk for surgery in women with POP is 11.1% 



Recognizing POP symptoms:

  • Discomfort

  • Feelings of pressure or heaviness

  • Pain

  • Seeing or feeling bulging

  • Urinary or fecal incontinence 

  • Difficulty inserting tampons

  • Pain/ pressure during intercourse

Women may experience zero to multiple of these symptoms.



So, why does POP happen? 

It could be a sudden thing or a slow and steady process. 

Here are some risk factors:

  • Childbirth: Parity, or the number of times you’ve given birth can you put you at an increased risk for POP. The more births, the higher risk.  Vaginal deliveries and the use of a vacuum or forceps during delivery also puts you at higher risk, as well as, baby’s birth weight. The heavier your baby, the higher your risk. 

  • Age: As we age, hormonal changes can affect the strength and elasticity of the pelvic tissues, making us more susceptible to prolapse. 

  • BMI: increased BMI increased risk

  • Genetics: Your family history may put you at a predisposition.

  • Chronic Constipation: Straining during bowel movements and constant downward pressure to your pelvic floor muscles can lead to weakening.


How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help

Ever heard of intra-abdominal pressure? It's the pressure within your belly. We teach you how to manage it, so it’s not constantly adding downward pressure on your organs and pelvic floor and in turn worsening your prolapse.  Pelvic Floor Strengthening will also help in providing better support for your pelvic organs. Depending on your specific needs, you may also benefit from pelvic floor muscle relaxation techniques and release work. 

Education is a big component to what our pelvic floor PT sessions consist of. Educating patients on lifestyle modifications, proper body mechanics, posture, bathroom habits, strategies to alleviate symptoms and more can make a big difference!

Pelvic organ prolapse can significantly impact your quality of life but we're here to empower you to take control of your pelvic health. If you suspect POP, reach out to a pelvic floor physical therapist! You deserve a thorough evaluation and guidance with specific exercises and treatment that will lead you to reducing your prolapse and symptoms. 

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