Top 3 Misconceptions about Female Genital Prolapse

By Dr April Mettler – CC’s Staff

Let’s address the top 3 misconceptions about female genital prolapse. Prolapses are so common that even if you don’t think you have one, you most likely do. They are basically normal in everyone! We consider symptom severity the primary indicator of prolapse severity. If it isn’t bothering you or causing physical trouble, does it matter if it is a grade III or grade IV? If it is symptomatic at a grade II, let’s address the function of the pelvic floor and ensure all systems are working together to make the prolapse less symptomatic.

• • 1. My organs are falling out! 
       • We hear this all the time so you are not alone in your thinking…but NO! Your insides are not going to fall out of you. If you have inspected your suspecting prolapse and have seen a bulge or tissue in the vaginal region, that is just that…your vaginal wall. The rectum and bladder are located adjacent to the uterus and vaginal vault and when prolapsing will press the vaginal wall into the vaginal canal and sometimes through the introitus (vaginal opening). 
    2. A prolapse requires surgery!
       • Not necessarily! Unfortunately, most images we see of our visceral systems poorly represent what the bladder, uterus, and rectum actually look like. If you see the image below, everything looks perfect, formed, and with adequate room and spacing.
       • This is NOT any female body! Our visceral structures are all squished together and resting comfortably amongst each other. We most often hear or get concerned about prolapses in our postpartum era. Perhaps it is because child birth is our first close up encounter to our female genitals! 
    3. I am probably the ONLY person under the age of 80 with this issue
       • MAJOR FALSE! At least ⅓ of women and ½ over the age of 50 experience symptoms of prolapse at some point in their lifespan. We can assume that number is much higher as many women do not seek consultation or care for a prolapse. You are not alone. Conservative management of prolapse can so often alleviate these symptoms to make the common presentation completely asymptomatic!

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To learn about how CC’s can help you, check out our pelvic health team or give our office a call today!