Is Pelvic Floor Repair Major Surgery?

Is Pelvic Floor Repair Major Surgery?


Pelvic floor repair surgery is the most common surgery for pelvic
organ prolapse. Pelvic floor repair is a broad term used to
classify a variety of simple, surgical procedures for repairing
the pelvic floor. The three surgeries for pelvic floor prolapse
include anterior repair, posterior repair, and a hysterectomy.


Although Restore Your Core does not provide any surgical
treatment for pelvic floor issues, my hope is that this article
may answer any questions you may have regarding pelvic floor
repair and the various procedures and treatments involved in
getting you back to a healthy, active lifestyle.


What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?


Prolapse can affect several abdominal organs. These organs are
said to prolapse if they descend into or out of the vaginal canal
or anus. The medical terminology for these occurrences include:


Cystocele: prolapse of the bladder into the vagina, the most
common condition

Urethrocele: prolapse of the urethra (the tube that carries
urine)

Uterine prolapse

Vaginal vault prolapse: prolapse of the vagina

Enterocele: Small bowel prolapse

Rectocele: Rectum prolapse



What Causes Pelvic Organ Prolapse?


There are many factors that are thought to cause a prolapse. In
most cases, anything that may apply or put increased pressure in
the abdomen can lead to a pelvic organ prolapse. Some of the
common causes may include:


Pregnancy, labor, and childbirth are the most common causes

Obesity

Connective tissue disorders

Respiratory problems with a chronic, long-term cough

Constipation

Genetic factors 

Pelvic organ cancers

Surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)



Diastasis recti (weakened core, connective tissues)


Symptoms


The symptoms of a prolapse somewhat depend on which organ has
descended. If you are suffering from a bladder prolapse, urinary
incontinence may occur. If it is a rectal prolapse, constipation,
painful bowel movements, and painful sex often occur. Lower back
pain, painful sex, and bowel obstruction or incontinence tend to
accompany a small intestine prolapse as well. If you are
suffering from a prolapse of the uterus, you may also suffer from
uncomfortable intercourse, incontinence, and lower back pain.


In some cases, there may never be signs of a prolapse or the
presence of any painful symptoms. However, in others some women
report symptoms ranging from:


Pressure or sense of fullness in the pelvic area

Lower back pain

Painful sex

Sensation of something falling out of the vagina

Urinary incontinence or frequent urination

Constipation

Spotting or bleeding from the vagina



In cases where there may be a severe prolapse, POP symptoms may
worsen. One may notice:


Bulging of the vaginal region

Needing manual assistance during a bowel movement

Difficulty urinating, spraying stream of urine

The need to lift the bulging vagina in order to urinate

Urinary leakage during intercourse

Recurrent UTIs or kidney infections