When we speak about uterine prolapse, you may think of this as a complex health condition. Still, it’s crucial to understand that it is a common condition that occurs when aging or after giving vaginal birth. Further, this blog will shed light on whether uterine prolapse can occur after childbirth or if it’s just a myth.
Simply, when becoming older or after having multiple childbirths, the ligaments and muscles around your uterus will become weak. Whenever this support structure starts to fail, your uterus can sag out of position. Fortunately, there are treatments for uterine prolapse, and individuals can undergo surgical and non-surgical options depending on their condition. To get the best results, just reach out to the Uterine prolapse treatment hospital in Coimbatore.
What is uterine prolapse?
In uterine prolapse, the tissues and muscles around your uterus become weak. This will make your uterus sag or drop into your vagina. Also, this condition is more common among women who are assigned female birth, but it typically occurs post-menopause and who have undergone many vaginal deliveries.
Those ligaments, muscles, and tissues in your pelvis are referred to as pelvic floor muscles. These muscles offer great support to your uterus, rectum, vagina, bladder, and other pelvic organs. When your pelvic floor muscles become weak or get damaged they can no longer support you, this condition is called pelvic prolapse.
The severity of your prolapse will be measured by how weak those supportive muscles have become, and notably, there are several types of prolapse uterus. In an incomplete prolapse, your uterus will be slipped enough to be partway in your vagina, this may cause a lump or bulge. In some extreme cases, your uterus will slip away that is far from your vagina, this is known as complete prolapse.
What are the stages of uterine prolapse?
Usually, doctors will use a system to categorize your uterine prolapse. Those stages of uterine prolapse include:
- Stage 1: Your uterus will be dropped into your upper vagina.
- Stage 2: Your uterus will be dropped into the lower part of your vagina.
- Stage 3: Your uterus will protrude from your vagina.
- Stage 4: Your uterus will be completely slips out from your vagina.
Uterine prolapse is most common among:
- Individuals who have had assigned at least one or more vaginal births.
- Women who have reached menopause.
- Individuals with a family history of uterine prolapse.
- People who have already undergone pelvic surgeries.
Menopause is nothing but your ovaries stop producing the hormones that help to get your monthly period. Estrogen is one of those hormones, this particular hormone helps to maintain your pelvic muscles strong. Without it, there are more chances of developing uterine prolapse after childbirth.
What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?
If you have mild uterine prolapse, then you won’t experience any symptoms, in case your uterine prolapse is severe, you will experience symptoms like:
- A feeling of fullness, and heaviness or pressure in your pelvis.
- Discomfort in your pelvis or abdomen.
- Experiencing pain during intercourse.
- Uterine tissue that falls through the opening of your vagina.
- Facing issues with inserting tampons or other applicators inside your vagina.
- Urine-related issues.
At times, these signs will get severe when you are standing or walking for a long time or when you cough and sneeze. When gravity exerts more pressure on your pelvic muscles.
What are the causes of uterine prolapse?
Your uterus is located within your pelvis by several groups of ligaments and muscles. When it begins to weaken, they can’t hold your uterus in position and it will sag. Several factors contribute to weakening your pelvic muscles, including:
- Loss of muscle tone due to menopause
- Pregnancy
- Giving vaginal birth to several or large babies
- Obesity
- Persistent cough or straining
- Constipation
- Weight lifting
Can uterine prolapse occur after childbirth?
There are more chances of developing urine prolapse after a traumatic or difficult pregnancy. During the natural vaginal birth, the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus, bladder, and rectum become stretched and weakened. This weakening will make your uterus to slip down into the vaginal canal, resulting in prolapse.
Further, women who were assigned several vaginal deliveries, large babies, or prolonged labor are more prone to uterine prolapse. Other factors that contribute to this include age, obesity, and chronic straining due to constipation.
Heaviness in the pelvis, pain during sexual activity, or urinary issues are the other symptoms of uterine prolapse. However, this condition can be managed with pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications, or in extreme cases, medical help is required.
How to fix your uterine prolapse?
There are both surgical and non-surgical procedures to treat your uterine prolapse. As we mentioned above based on the severity of your prolapse, age, and general health Urogynecologist In Coimbatore will cater the treatment. Treatment will be effective for most people, those treatments include:
Non-surgical options:
- Exercise
- Vaginal pessary
- Diet
- Lifestyle choices
Surgical options:
- Hysterectomy and prolapse repair
- Prolapse repair without hysterectomy
Also, uterine prolapse is a very common condition, with age this condition will get worse. Moreover, remember that you are more likely to get uterine prolapse if you are assigned several vaginal births.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that uterine prolapse is a common issue faced by women who had many vaginal deliveries or who have gone through menopause. Symptoms will greatly vary based on how far your uterus has slipped out of place. Discuss with your healthcare provider about your uterine prolapse symptoms like bulging from your vagina or pressure in your pelvic region. Notably, there are several treatments to help you feel better before other organs are affected.