Pelvic Organ Prolapse

At a Glance

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition where the tissues supporting the organs inside the pelvis become weak or stretched, causing the bladder, uterus, rectum, etc., to descend toward the vaginal area.

A mass may be felt inside or at the opening of the vagina, and symptoms such as pelvic heaviness, urinary or bowel discomfort, and discomfort related to sexual intercourse may occur.

How the Disease Works

Factors such as pregnancy and childbirth, tissue changes due to age, conditions that chronically increase intra-abdominal pressure, obesity, and constipation can be related factors.

When the supporting strength of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue weakens, the structure supporting the pelvic organs may sag, leading to prolapse.

Patterns Vary by Person

Risk and symptoms may vary depending on childbirth experience, age, weight, intra-abdominal pressure factors such as coughing or constipation, and individual tissue characteristics.

Broad framework of diagnosis and management

Symptoms may be entirely absent or severe enough to interfere with daily life, worsening when standing for long periods or straining, and alleviating with rest.

Diagnosis involves assessing symptoms and medical history and performing a pelvic examination, supplemented by tests to evaluate urinary function or other pelvic diseases if necessary.

Current stage of treatment

Since the degree of prolapse identified during examination may not match the level of discomfort felt by the patient, the need for treatment is not determined by anatomical findings alone.

Management may include observation based on symptoms and impact on daily life, pelvic floor muscle exercises, control of intra-abdominal pressure factors, use of vaginal pessaries, and surgery if necessary.

Treatment methods are decided by considering not only the location and degree of prolapse but also symptoms, functional decline, health status, pregnancy plans, and individual preferences.

How to read clinical trials

In follow-up observations, changes in symptoms, urination/defecation function, discomfort during pessary use, and postoperative recurrence are checked, and research results must be interpreted by examining the participants' characteristics and the observation period together.

Points to verify in clinical encounters

In clinical practice, it is important to assess the onset and changes in symptoms, their impact on daily life, urinary and defecatory problems, obstetric and surgical history, intra-abdominal pressure factors such as coughing and constipation, and pregnancy plans and treatment preferences.