Genital prolapse is caused by weakness of the internal muscles of the body and usually affects older women.
With age, the human body undergoes a natural process of loss of muscle mass and one of the consequences of this can be genital prolapse, also known as bladder prolapse. The medical condition is characterized by weak pelvic muscles and a loss of ability to support the organs in this area.
The problem mainly affects women, and in more advanced cases, organs such as the uterus, bladder and rectum end up separating and can escape through the vagina or anus. When misdiagnosed or untreated, patients experience discomfort while sitting and during intercourse and are more prone to urinary tract infections.
“The problem is serious and can cause internal organs to protrude from the vaginal canal. Patients must be careful at the first signs so that the condition does not progress too much,” explains physical therapist Priscilla Pshesky, owner of the Pelvic Function Clinic, which specializes in strengthening the pelvic floor.
Risk Factor’s
The female pelvic floor is more flexible than the male pelvic floor to facilitate natural childbirth. Genital prolapse can occur after a multiple pregnancy or vaginal delivery.
Hormonal changes, obesity, carrying extra pounds, a chronic cough, and even straining to have a bowel movement can also cause bladder prolapse due to increased internal pressure in the abdomen, putting pressure on the ligaments and pelvic floor.
Symptom
Genital prolapse is classified by grade. In the first degree, patients note increased vaginal secretions and a single interruption of urination. In the second degree, they suffer from incontinence and feel pain when urinating, due to the lowering of the bladder or the uterus, which puts pressure on the pelvic floor.
Other common symptoms are pain that worsens with exercise, lower back pain, vaginal bleeding, pain with intercourse, and constipation or diarrhea.
In the third row, they have a feeling of heaviness in the vagina, as if a ball is pulling them down. From this stage, the organs can be visualized through the vaginal canal. In the last and most advanced degree, the organs “flow” through the vagina or anus.
Treatment
In the early stages, the condition can be treated with pelvic physical therapy to restore positional structure, but patients must also learn to use abdominal strength to avoid internal pressure. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to the patient to put the organs back in place.
Protection
Strengthening the pelvic area is the main strategy to prevent genital prolapse. In addition, it is recommended to avoid internal stress on the organs caused by sudden weight gain, weight gain or increased overload. An interesting strategy is to learn breathing techniques and use your abdominal muscles in a healthy way.
“It doesn’t make sense to just strengthen the pelvic floor. It’s important to know how to use abdominal strength correctly to avoid excessive pressure on the abdomen,” explains Priscilla.
The physical therapist recommends a method called the 5 C’s, which includes body awareness, diaphragm control, proper contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle, pelvic floor contraction, and physical conditioning.
