Prolapse Treatment
Get the support your body needs. Without surgery.
Do you feel pressure or a bulging sensation in your pelvic region? Maybe it feels like something is falling outside of you at times? This has to be the most common way we hear our clients describe pelvic organ prolapse.
It’s actually a concern we hear from women of all ages. Many, but not all of them had given birth. Some experiencing hormonal changes. While others just navigating life with an aging body.
One question that everyone will always ask…
“Is surgery the only option I have?”
The answer is often no. But this really depends on how severe your prolapse is and how long you have been dealing with this issue. At Markham Pelvic Health, we take a conservative approach to prolapse management. This means exhausting all non-surgical solutions, one at a time.
What treatment options are available for Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
We’ll assess the current-state of your prolapse and provide treatment options. During your first visit, your therapist will work with you on the following:
- Discuss your symptoms and daily activities to determine what may be contributing to the prolapse and what the prolapse may be affecting
- Assess the prolapse to determine the type and grade
- Assess your pelvic floor tension, strength, endurance and coordination
- Determine a patient-specific treatment plan including pelvic floor strengthening or relaxation exercises, strategies for you to implement throughout your day to reduce prolapse symptoms and manual therapy.
2. Pessary
Sometimes our bodies need some extra support. The pessary is a discreet and easy-to-use device that offers incredible support for your pelvic organs. It’s designed to fit comfortably, providing the gentle lift and stability your body needs.
We help our clients with custom pessary fittings on a daily basis and it’s become a popular alternative to surgery.
What is a Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
There are three main pelvic organs that sit on top of your pelvic floor. The bladder sits at the front, just behind your pubic bone. Then, you have your vaginal canal behind the bladder with your uterus that sits on top. Finally, you have your rectum in the back, just behind your vaginal canal. The pelvic floor organs are held in place by ligaments and the pelvic floor muscles.
Pressure can be applied to the pelvic floor organs and pelvic floor muscles in several ways throughout the day. Some examples include holding your breath and lifting something heavy, sneezing, coughing or even straining on the toilet. With persistent pressure downwards towards these organs, they can begin to descend lower. The descent of any of these organs is what we call a pelvic organ prolapse.
How do I know if I have a Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
There are lots of indicators that might indicate that you have a prolapse. Prolapse symptoms can often feel like heaviness or pressure in the vagina, like a bulge or ball is protruding out of the vagina, difficulty with urination, or pain during intercourse. These symptoms can feel more pronounced after walking, exercising, standing for a long time or after a bowel movement. However, everyone feels prolapse differently, and many may not feel anything at all! A study shows that 2 out of 5 women between the ages of 45 to 85 years have anatomical evidence of a pelvic organ prolapse, but only 12% of these women have symptoms.
