Uterine prolapse is a common condition that can occur as a woman ages, and with multiple normal deliveries during childbirth, the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can weaken. What you need to know about uterine prolapseclevelandclinic .
Q: Who are the women who suffer from uterine prolapse?
Uterine prolapse is more likely to occur in women who have:
You have had one or more natural births.
– Post menopause.
If one of the family members had a prolapsed uterus.
Q: What causes uterine prolapse?
The uterus is held in place inside the pelvis by a group of muscles and ligaments. You may hear this called the pelvic floor muscles. When these structures weaken, they become unable to hold the uterus in place, and it begins to sag. Several factors can contribute to weakening the pelvic muscles, including in that:
Loss of muscle tension due to aging.
-obesity.
Chronic cough or straining.
Chronic constipation.
What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?
If you have a mild case of uterine prolapse, you may not have any obvious symptoms. However, when the uterus slips more out of position, it can put pressure on other pelvic organs — such as the bladder or intestines — and cause symptoms such as:
Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.
Pain in the pelvis, abdomen, or lower back.
Pain during intercourse.
Uterine tissue that falls through the opening of the vagina.
Recurrent bladder infections.
Unusual or excessive vaginal discharge .
-constipation .
Urination problems, including involuntary loss of urine (urinary incontinence), the need to urinate frequently (urinary frequency) or a sudden urge to urinate (urinary urgency).
Q: How is uterine prolapse diagnosed?
Your health care provider will perform a pelvic exam to determine if your uterus has dropped from its normal position During a pelvic exam, your health care provider inserts a speculum (an instrument that allows the provider to see inside the vagina) and examines the vagina and uterus. Your provider will feel for any bulges from the uterus descending into the canal Vaginal.
Q: Can uterine prolapse be prevented?
You may not be able to prevent all cases of uterine prolapse, but there are ways to reduce your risk of uterine prolapse. Some lifestyle tips that can reduce your risk of prolapse include::
– Maintaining a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly. In addition, do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Remember, check with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.
– Eat a healthy diet. Talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian (a special type of healthcare provider who helps you create a meal plan) about the best diet for you.
Quit smoking. This reduces your risk of developing a chronic cough, which can put extra pressure on your pelvic muscles..