Pelvic organ prolapse
Get the pelvic care you need
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is the descent of one or more of the anterior (front) vaginal wall, posterior (back) vaginal wall, the uterus/cervix or the apex of the vagina (after a hysterectomy).
It is estimated that 1 in 3 women are affected to the degree that the vaginal bulge extends either equal to or beyond the vaginal opening. POP can be very distressing for many women as the symptoms of POP can significantly impact upon a Woman's quality of life, body image, intimacy and exercise goals.
The detrimental side effects of POP can have long lasting effects and affect Women's overall health including mental and physical health outcomes.
Watch this video below for more information.....
There are 6 common symptoms including:
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Low Back Pain
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Feeling a Vaginal Bulge with wiping bladder and/or bowel
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Pelvic Pressure or heaviness around the vagina or lower abdomen - particularly after exercise, lifting, standing long periods or at the end of the day
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Difficulty with emptying bowel or bladder - a feeling of obstruction and unsatisfactory bladder and bowel emptying
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Splinting/digitation to assist with bowel and bladder emptying
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In severe cases bleeding, discharge and infection such as Urinary Tract Infections, recurrent thrush and bacterial vaginosis
How do I know I have Pelvic organ Prolapse?
Conservative management treatment options
Conservative management options are treatments that are non-surgical and ideally need to trailed prior to surgery and will also improve surgical outcomes should that be the best treatment option for you.
This document was compiled by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and outlines the current treatment paths for the management of pelvic organ prolapse
Firstly, together we will we asses your bowel and bladder function to ensure all is working optimally and their impact upon your prolapse. It is also important that we work together with examining the activities like your job or exercise or family life and how these things can impact upon your prolapse symptoms.
I will provide you with a comprehensive treatment approach and tools required to improve your bowel and bladder function and exercise modifications to keep you actively engaging in the things you love.
Lifestyle modifications
Get the expert advice you, your child and family need to overcome bladder problems.
A detailed clinical assessment includes using the latest imaging including 3D ultrasound and biofeedback technologies to understand the cause of incontinence and to develop a child continence mastering treatment.
Engage in evidenced based treatments that may address behavioural issues, bladder training, bladder emptying techniques, management at school and night time alarm therapy for bedwetting will get the successful continence you and your child needs.
Pelvic floor exercises
Vaginal pessary
A pessary is like a 'sports bra' for your pelvis! A good fitting pessary should not be felt (you shouldn't even know it's there) and will provide you immediate symptom relief of those bothersome symptoms of vaginal heaviness, drag feeling, bulge, discomfort and back pain.
A pessary should be fitted by either a specialist or by a highly trained APA titled Continence and Women's health Physiotherapist such as myself. I have undertaken a postgraduate certificate in the Conservative Management of Prolapse and I have many years of experience and am highly qualified in the assessment of Prolapse through the POP-Quantification system and POP staging system providing you, your GP and specialist with a detailed report.
A pessary is selected based off your POP-Q and POP-staging assessment, pelvic floor muscle function and morphology, goals and symptom relief.
There are many types of Pessaries, some are mechanically supportive and some are space occupying. My expertise will guide you through these options. It may take 2 sessions to fit the right pessary, but once the fit is best then I will teach you how to look after your pessary, fit it and remove it yourself.
If this isn't for you then together with your GP or specialist I can assist in co-managing as needed as some pessaries can remain in place for 3-6 months. We perform 3-6 monthly checks to ensure there are no issues with the pessary.
Pessaries may be used as a short-term solution to assist with symptom relief awaiting surgery, during postnatal recovery when symptoms of prolapse may not be resolving as quickly as you thought or when returning to exercise.
Pessaries can also be as a successful and easy long-term solution as many women feel surgery may not an option for them due to health problems or who are wanting a non-surgical approach.
I will work collaboratively with your GP and specialist- Urogynaecologist, gynaecologist, obstetrician, midwife, urologist or colorectal surgeon to provide the best outcome for you and your pelvic health.
To find out more or have a pessary fitted call the Gold Coast Pelvic Health Pessary fitting clinic today!
