Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the supporting structures of the pelvic region weaken and become loose and the tissue from the rectum, bladder or uterus protrude into the vagina. Once rarely talked about, New Beginning’s OB-GYN, Dr. Rania Ibrahim, says that this pelvic support problems have now become much more significant in a women’s overall health.
Types of Pelvic Support Problems
Different types of pelvic support problems influence various parts of a woman’s vagina:
Cystocele and urethrocele. A cystocele happens when the bladder bulges into the front wall of the vagina. A related defect, known as an urethrocele, occurs when the urethra pushes into the front vaginal wall.
Rectocele. With this condition, a portion of the rectum protrudes into the back wall of the vagina, and in some cases causes difficulty with defecation.
Uterine prolapse. When this occurs, the uterus drops into the vagina. In women who have had a hysterectomy, a vaginal vault prolapse can occur in which the top of the vagina bulges into the lower vagina.
Causes of Pelvic Support Problems
Pelvic support is provided by pelvic floor muscles, connecting tissue and ligaments. When these floor muscles become weak, the connecting tissue and ligaments have to support the weight. Eventually, they can stretch and fail and allow the pelvic organs to drop and bulge into the vaginal wall.
Women who have had more than one vaginal birth are at the most significant risk for pelvic support problems, especially post menopause.
Symptoms of Pelvic Support Problems
Women who suffer a mild prolapse – which was diagnosed during a standard pelvic exam – may experience no symptoms at all. But some women go through a great deal of discomfort and a variety of symptoms, including:
Pressure and pain: Pelvic pressure, leg fatigue, and low back pain are the most common complaints.
Urinary symptoms: Cystocele, urethrocele, and uterine prolapse can bring on stress incontinence and difficulty to begin urinating.
Bowel symptoms: A rectocele can result in trouble with defecation by creating a pocket right above the anal sphincter in which stool can become confined, resulting in pain, pressure, and constipation.
Sexual problems. Pelvic support problems can irritate the vaginal tissues or pain during sexual intercourse, as well as psychological tension.
If you feel you may be suffering from pelvic support problems and need a caring and experienced OB-GYN then please call the caring staff at New Beginnings OB-GYN under the direction of Dr. Rania Ibrahim in The Woodlands, TX.
Don’t wait – call us today at (936) 441-8635 to schedule your confidential consultation.
Are you looking for an OBGYN in The Woodlands, TX?
Dr. Rania Ibrahim is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a Medical Practice located in Montgomery County, serving patients in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring and Magnolia, Texas. New Beginnings Ob/Gyn offers many services including Prenatal care, treatment of hot flashes and menopause symptoms, treatment of endometriosis and painful periods, uterine ablation, routine well women exams, infertility treatment, as well as treatments of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
You can work together from the initial consultation to the implementation of your own personal birth plan, and follow-up. Dr. Rania Ibrahim has enormous experience in high risk obstetrics. She is a skilled surgeon and has an excellent and caring team.
Dr. Rania Ibrahim is sympathetic to the needs of women. She specializes in minimally invasive surgery and performs robotic (DaVinci) assisted myomectomies and hysterectomies.
New Beginnings OB-GYN proudly serves the residents of Montgomery County, Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and Magnolia, Texas.
Note: Hospital deliveries and procedures are conveniently offered at Houston Methodist Hospital the Woodlands, Conroe Regional Medical Center, CHI-St Luke’s-The Woodlands, and Memorial Hermann Medical Center-The Woodlands.