What is Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse is a common condition that can happen as a woman ages. Over time, and with multiple vaginal deliveries during childbirth, the muscles and ligaments around your uterus can weaken. When this support structure starts to fail, your uterus can sag out of position. This is called a uterine prolapse.
What causes Uterine Prolapse?
The uterus is held in place within the pelvis by a group of muscles and ligaments,called the pelvic floor muscles. When these structures weaken, they become unable to hold the uterus in position, and it begins to sag. Several factors can contribute to the weakening of the pelvic muscles, including
- Loss of muscle tone as the result of aging.
- Injury during childbirth, especially if you have had many babies or large babies (more than 3kg).
- Obesity
- Chronic coughing or straining
- Chronic constipation.
Patients with multiple deliveries / vaginal births, post menopausal age women are at higher risk of developing uterine prolapse of varying degree.
Symptoms of uterine prolapse
- Repeated vaginal infection and discharge
- Post coital / frictional bleeding
- Urinary tract infection
- Lower abdominal and vaginal pain
- Constipation
- Difficulty in walking and sitting or urinating in case of complete prolapse.
How can Uterine Prolapse be treated?
Management
Conservative
- Exercise(kegel exercise)
- Vaginal ring pessaryr
Surgical
- Hysterectomy
- vaginal repair surgeries without removing uterus
Hysterectomy for Uterine Prolapse can be done via Vaginal route called as Vaginal Hysterectomy or Laparoscopic route called Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH).
Prolapse repair surgery without removing Uterus possible?
Yes it is possible. Laparoscopic /open or vaginal mesh plasty can be done. More advanced techniques includes Sling operations
- Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
- Laparoscopic Pectopexy
