So today’s Blog we are kicking off with the subject of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Otherwise known as POP. It occurs in one and three women in their lifetime and it should be noted that some women experience no symptoms.

It occurs when the position of bladder, uterus or bowel change due to changes in the structural tissue (fascia)  that support them in the pelvis or weakness in the pelvic floor muscle occur.

This allows the organs to move downwards to varying degrees and may be felt as a bulge or heaviness in the vagina or back passage.

Other symptoms include slowing of the urine stream and difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel. You may experience pain with sex or change in sensation, recurrent urinary tract infections, incontinence and/or a dragging type back pain.

As a woman, I understand how this can be scary and even the word ‘Prolapse’ does not sound pleasant. However, understanding there are huge varying degrees and what you can do to help and prevent this issue yourself is our aim.

Risk factors include childbirth, constipation, heavy lifting, menopause, being overweight and there does seem to be a genetic element due to tissue types.

 

How can I Manage or Prevent Prolapse?

 

Avoiding risk factors such as controlling chronic chest issues well, and keeping your stool soft for your bowel to open easily is very important.

If you lift weights it’s important to understand your strategy to ensure you have a good technique. These strategies prevent prolapse.

Keeping a strong pelvic floor by training your pelvic floor muscle is also important.

Unfortunately, we cannot avoid all risk factors as giving birth is a part of the female life cycle.

 

How can we Help?

We can both diagnose your risk of prolapse postpartum and the degree of your prolapse if you are already symptomatic.

We can help you train your pelvic floor and individually prescribe your tools and aids to help keep to symptom-free and prevent further changes; including referring you on if necessary to another health professional.

 

We are passionate about taking the worry and anxiety out of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and all other Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and are here to help.

If you think you or a friend would benefit from our assessment why not avail of our 25% discount for appointments booked this week to celebrate International Women’s Day on this Friday the 8th of March. Quote IWD19 to avail of this. 

 

Yours in Health,

Vivienne Byrne,

Pelvic Health Specialist & Chartered Physiotherapist

 

Useful Links

https://continence.org.au/pages/prolapse.html#signs

https://www.iscp.ie/maintain-your-health/womens-health-and-continence