Uterine prolapse - causes and signs of uterine prolapse

According to the degree of organ displacement, there are two degrees of uterine prolapse:

• Incomplete prolapse: characterized by partial displacement of the organ downwards, to the limits of the genital slit or extends beyond it, but remains within the vagina.
• Complete uterine prolapse or prolapse: characterized by complete prolapse of the organ beyond the genital slit.

Causes

The causes of uterine prolapse are associated with labor and everyday life. The most common causes are:

• lifting heavy objects;
• sudden weight loss;
• congenital pelvic floor insufficiency caused by abnormal development of the spinal cord and spine;
• rapid labor;
• birth of a large child;
• incorrect or untimely obstetric care;
• use of obstetric forceps or vacuum during labor;
• postpartum perineal edema.

Symptoms

Symptoms of uterine prolapse are:

• pulling pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to lower back;
• feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• urination problems: urinary retention or incontinence;
• chronic constipation;
• pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Diagnostics

If you experience one or more symptoms, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist. Diagnosis of uterine prolapse includes:

• gynecological examination with palpation;
• ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• catheterization (if there is a suspicion of bladder prolapse).

If complete prolapse of the uterus has occurred (prolapse), a consultation with a surgeon will be required.

Treatment

Treatment of uterine prolapse is complex. After diagnosis, the gynecologist prescribes:

• diet therapy;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• exclusion of heavy physical activity;
• physiotherapy procedures: electrophoresis;
• medications to eliminate constipation (if any);
• install vaginal pessaries - rings that provide fixation of the uterus at a certain level.

Surgical treatment of uterine prolapse is prescribed by a surgeon in case of its complete prolapse (falling out):

• patients with urinary incontinence are fitted with a synthetic clamp;
• an operation is performed to reduce the uterus by excising its walls and sewing it in;
• strengthen the pelvic floor by installing a synthetic mesh under the muscles and attaching them to the ligaments (hammock);
• women undergoing menopause (climacteric) have their uterus removed.

Prolapse of the uterus, in addition to physiological and aesthetic discomfort, leads to a number of complications: inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, kinking or torsion of the ureters and bladder, termination of pregnancy or infertility.

Prevention

The main preventive measures regarding prolapse of the uterus are:

• conducting measures to strengthen the muscles of the pelvis, uterus, vagina (Kegel exercises);
• exercising to maintain muscle tone;
• performing gynecological massage with gel during pregnancy;
• timely treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes in the body;
• visiting a gynecologist twice a year.