Are You Like Susan?

At age 68, Susan is suddenly experiencing low-back pain, chronic constipation, and the feeling that she is sitting on a ball. Luckily, she already has an appointment with her ob-gyn in a few weeks. She hopes her doctor will tell her what’s happening in her pelvic region.  What Susan’s ob-gyn will tell her at her appointment: Susan feels like she’s sitting on a ball because her pelvic organs have literally popped out of place. She has pelvic organ prolapse, in which one or more of her pelvic organs have moved out of place and now bulge into her vagina.  Susan’s ob-gyn will tell her that she is among the 3 to 6 percent of women who have severe pelvic organ prolapse, and will most likely need surgery to correct the problem. Surprisingly, between 43 and 76 percent of women have some degree of prolapse without knowing it and should be taking preventive action.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?

Do you ever have that “sinking sensation”? We don’t mean in the pit of your stomach. Go lower because we are talking about parts south of your stomach. If you have a sinking or heavy feeling in your pelvic region you might have pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Something may have literally “popped” out of place. Many patients with POP often feel as if something is falling out of their vagina!  The Three Gs of gravidy (pregnancy), gravity, and gerontology (aging) are usually the root causes of POP. One in five U.S. women is affected by POP, and 30% of U.S. women over 50 have this condition. Almost 50% of women who have had vaginal births will develop some form of POP in their lifetime. The uterus, bladder, intestines, and rectum are all located around the vagina, and can bulge into the vagina. Who is at risk? Moms, heavy-lifters, and smokers are susceptible. POP can be brought on by chronic coughing, chronic constipation, menopause, normal aging, previous pelvic surgery (hysterectomy), or genetics.