Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Cases that require surgery to treat urinary incontinence include conditions where the weakness of the pelvic floor leads to incontinence caused by a condition called pelvic organ prolapse, where typically the bladder or uterus drops (prolapses) from their normal position and pushes against the walls of the vagina, forming a bulge (called bladder prolapse or cystocoele and uterine prolapse respectively).

The condition often affects postmenopausal women who've had one or more vaginal births, and can be due to a progressively weakened pelvic floor as a result of damage to or loss of supportive tissues during pregnancy and childbirth, undergoing a hysterectomy, loss of oestrogen after menopause, chronic constipation, chronic effects of gravity, and repeated straining over the years.

Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Feeling that pelvic organs are pressing against the vaginal wall. This is the most common symptom.
• Protrusion of the uterus and cervix through the vaginal opening
• Sensation of heaviness or pulling in the pelvis
• Sensation of something “falling out” of the vagina or of sitting on a small ball
• Urinary incontinence – frequent urination or a sudden, overwhelming urge to empty the bladder
• Having problems with your bowels, such as constipation
• Low backache
• Difficult or painful sexual intercourse
• Repeated bladder infections
• Vaginal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge