Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic Organ Prolapse services offered in Greenwood, SC

Pelvic organ prolapse isn’t something you should hesitate to bring up with your gynecologist. In fact, it’s quite common. At Turning Point Women’s Center PA, board-certified gynecologist Michael B. Gentry, DO, provides professional evaluations and treatment for pelvic organ prolapse in Greenwood, South Carolina. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to explore ways of strengthening your pelvic floor.

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse happens when muscles in your pelvis become too weak to support your organs, which causes them to drop down into or even out of your vagina. It can affect the positioning of your uterus, cervix, vagina, and rectum and is often quite uncomfortable.

Some of its symptoms are:

Feeling pressure in your pelvis or lower abdomen
Visible bulge coming from your vagina
Worsening symptoms when you stand for long periods of time
Difficulty inserting a tampon

Pelvic organ prolapse often co-occurs with other pelvic floor disorders and can come with urinary incontinence, which is trouble holding in your urine and involuntary leaking throughout the day.

What causes pelvic organ prolapse?

Experiencing pelvic organ prolapse can come as an unwelcome surprise and can be attributed to a few circumstances and conditions that damage or weaken your pelvic floor muscles. Sometimes, there are multiple causes.

You might experience pelvic organ prolapse because of:

Vaginal childbirth
Obesity
Straining during bowel movements
Menopause and associated hormone changes
Aging
Genetics

Dr. Gentry can diagnose pelvic organ prolapse with no more than a pelvic examination in the office. He may ask you to cough or otherwise strain the muscles to see if prolapse happens or if urinary leakage occurs.

How is pelvic organ prolapse treated?

There are multiple treatments that can help with pelvic organ prolapse. Choosing a treatment based on your age, the severity of the condition, and your level of sexual activity, Dr. Gentry works with you to get the best possible outcome.

Turning Point Women’s Center PA offers pelvic organ prolapse treatment with:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle and diet changes might help you strain less during bowel movements to minimize pelvic organ prolapse. Specifically, eating more fiber helps with digestion.

Pelvic floor therapy

Pelvic floor therapy is a form of physical therapy that involves exercises to strengthen and rebuild the muscles supporting your pelvic organs.

Pessary

A pessary is a removable device that you can place inside your vagina to lift and hold your pelvic organs.

Surgery

Several different surgeries can treat pelvic organ prolapse, including surgeries to repair damaged muscles or close the vaginal opening.