Prolapse of the uterus

Prolapse of the uterus – a common problem not only among adult women. This pathology is detected even in women under 30 years old. Unfortunately, the ladies ignored preventive examinations at the gynecologist, and faced such an ailment.

The prolapse of the uterus itself is a process when the uterus is located incorrectly, and it is located incorrectly due to a shift. The fact is that the muscles that “support” the uterus weaken, and the uterus drops or even falls out.

Symptoms of prolapse of the uterus

The very first symptoms – a woman suffers from pulling pains, as during the first days of menstruation. Women also ignore this moment, hoping that it will “pass by itself” or write off the fact that menstruation is approaching. This symptom is characteristic of the first stage of uterine prolapse. Also, ladies feel pain, discomfort during intimacy.

The next symptom of uterine prolapse is heavy menstruation. In young females, under the age of 30 – 35 years, this problem is also accompanied by infertility.

If a woman was not diagnosed with the disease in time, then the prolapse of the uterus passes into the second stage. Here, patients are already facing more serious problems: it is difficult to empty the bladder – often going to the toilet is accompanied by acute pain, there is a feeling that the bladder is full. The patient is faced with cystitis, she develops sand or kidney stones, and pyelonephritis is also common.

The third stage is the prolapse of the uterus. This moment a woman will definitely not be able to miss. The uterus extends beyond the genital opening, is damaged when walking, running, and other physical exertion, blood circulation is disturbed. And it, in turn, leads to bedsores and tissue swelling.

Causes of uterine prolapse

Pregnancy and childbirth. One of the most common causes of uterine prolapse is considered to be pregnancy and natural childbirth. A woman in the process of childbirth receives ruptures and injuries of the vagina, because of this, the intimate muscles weaken. Accordingly, the more births a woman has had, the greater the risk of uterine prolapse.

Also, the reasons include the incorrect presentation of the baby in the womb. If it was removed by the buttocks, then this can also lead to prolapse of the uterus.

Heavy physical exertion. Any activity related to the fact that a woman “pulls weight” or lifts heavy, can lead to prolapse of the uterus. The disease can appear not only among fans of heavy sports, but also among those who lift weights (over 3 kg) in everyday life: a child, heavy packages and bags, hard work.

Genetics and lifestyle. Pathology is common among those who have women in their family, a grandmother or mother, with uterine prolapse. The disease is inherited.

Degrees of uterine prolapse

There are three stages of uterine prolapse:

• the first – the uterus is shifted down, but remains inside the cavity, the cervix also remains in place and does not come out;
• the second – the uterus also shifts down, the body of the uterus remains in the vagina, but the cervix – on the eve; the cervix may come out more when coughing, laughing and sneezing;
• the third – in this case, not only the exit of the cervix, but also the body of the uterus to the outside is obviously noticeable; It is impossible not to notice this, a reason to urgently contact a gynecologist.

Treatment of uterine prolapse

As for the treatment of uterine prolapse, it can be of different types. It all depends on the degree of omission. The gynecologist will offer conservative treatment, or surgical. As a rule, the latter method is used already at the last stage. It also happens that both methods complement each other – an operation, for example, may be accompanied by medication or exercise after it.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing uterine prolapse is easy. To do this, it is enough to come to an appointment with a doctor, the gynecologist during the examination will ask the patient to push, and assess how pronounced the prolapse is.

There are also other diagnostic methods:

• the patient will keep a diary of urination – in a notebook she will write down when she went to the toilet, or when involuntary urination occurred, she will also need to add how often this phenomenon occurs, and in what volumes the urine comes out;
• the doctor will conduct an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, if necessary – the bladder and pelvic floor;
• the doctor can also prescribe vaginal tonometry – thanks to her, the doctor will select the necessary method of treatment;
• urinalysis – it will allow the gynecologist to exclude inflammatory processes in the patient’s body.

Modern treatments

At the first degree of pathology, a gynecologist may recommend wearing vaginal balls. The bottom line is that a woman holds these balls with intimate muscles, they are sold in any intimate store, they come in different sizes. Such an exercise helps in that the presence of a foreign object in the vagina forces the muscles to contract, and thus they train.

Women who have gone through menopause are advised to take estrogens topically.

Also, modern methods of treating uterine prolapse include the installation of a pessary. It is selected by the doctor individually, the specialist will show and tell you how to properly put it on and take it off.

The laser will help strengthen the intimate muscles. Thanks to it, urinary incontinence can be cured.

The last stage of treatment is surgery. However, even after it, patients are required to train the pelvic floor muscles in order to prevent relapse.

Operations are also of different types. Which one to do, the doctor chooses, depending on the severity of uterine prolapse and the characteristics of the clinical situation. Mostly levatoroplasty is performed. Its essence is that the surgeon stitches the muscles of the pelvic floor. If the pathology of the uterus is very severe, the uterus can be removed – this is suitable for giving birth to adult women.

Prevention of uterine prolapse at home

In order to prevent the prolapse of the uterus, you need to beware from a young age:

• do not lift weights over 3 kg;
• train intimate muscles – you can do this in many ways: Kegel exercises, wearing vaginal balls or cones will help you, there are also special simulators that are inserted into the vagina and train the muscles themselves, you just need to find time to train;
• preparation for childbirth, choosing a good maternity hospital and an obstetrician-gynecologist;
• postpartum recovery;
• restoration of the anatomy of the pelvic floor in case of ruptures during childbirth;
• timely visit to the gynecologist, once every 6-12 months.

Popular questions and answers

Answered our questions gynecologist of the highest qualification category Natalya Belyaeva.