While aging is a factor, there are many potential contributing causes. They include loss of muscle tone, menopause and estrogen loss, multiple vaginal deliveries, obesity, uterine fibroids, family history, pelvic trauma or previous surgery, repeated heavy lifting, chronic constipation and coughing and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. 

 

Did you know…

 

Half of all women over age 50 experience some degree of pelvic organ prolapse. Twenty percent of women over 60 years of age will require surgical intervention. 

The symptoms of pelvic prolapse: Loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty voiding, urinary frequency, problems with bowel movements, feelings of pelvic or vaginal heaviness, bulging, fullness or pain, and recurrent bladder infections.

Treatments range from conservative measures, including pelvic floor exercises or the use of a support device (a pessary) that sits within the vagina to hold up the surrounding organs, to surgical treatments.  What is exciting news, is that now surgery can be performed through minimally invasive techniques in most cases with shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries without compromising surgical outcomes.