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Female Genital Prolapse
Female Genital Prolapse in Brooklyn and Queens
Prolapse (female genital prolapse) - one of the most common women's diseases. It is diagnosed in 10% of women under age 30, 25% of women between ages 30 and 45, and 33% of elderly women.
Accord Physicians Urology Division's expert in the field of female urology and gynecology with over a decade of experience, leading one of the largest specialized clinics in Brooklyn, Lyudmila Emag, answers your questions.
What are the main causes of prolapse?
In our bodies, there are muscles that support the normal anatomical position of the pelvic organs. When these muscles develop abnormalities, prolapse occurs. This can happen for the following reasons:
- Birth
- Age (after menopause)
- Heavy physical work (lifting weights)
- Chronic cough
- Chronic constipation
- Obesity
- Heredity. Often this is due to the structural features of connective tissue(part of the ligament), which is prone to sprains or breaks.
Pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum fall out of place and protrude from the vaginal opening, and are usually accompanied by prolapse of the vaginal walls.
What are the first symptoms of this disease and as prolapse progresses?
In the early stages, a woman may not suspect the presence of prolapse. Often the first sign, especially in young women, is deterioration in the quality of sexual life (problems with the on set of orgasm or inability to contract the pelvic floor muscles, which reduces sexual sensation and promotes the ingress of air into the vagina). Another sign of prolapse is bleeding in women who use tampons during menstruation (blood flow between the pad and stretched vaginal walls). Then there are symptoms of "pelvic dysfunction." These often include: urinary incontinence, incontinence of gases and/or stool, and frequent urination.
Prolapse is accompanied by an extremely unpleasant sensation characterized by the shifting of organs in the perineal region, the deterioration of flesh, and hence the onset of pain. It becomes very difficult and often painful to urinate or defecate. Sexual intercourse is also very difficult or impossible. In more severe cases, the quality of life deteriorates so much that the woman feels "crippled" and turns away from her family, professional and public life.
What can be done to help a woman regain her health and self-confidence?
From my experience: the earlier a woman seeks medical attention, the more effectively we can deliver results. In our practice, we try to apply the most successful, proven traditional methods of treatment.
These include the use of pessaries (special vaginal rings), electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles, and training on how to use the Kegel exercise along with biofeedback. All procedures and exercises are conducted in our clinic, under professional supervision. Depending on the individual body structure of the patient, we adjust the frequency and degree of stress for each exercise.
Pessary use gives us excellent results and does not cause the patient significant discomfort. Pessaries are recommended for patients with prolapse who wish to avoid surgery or who want to give birth.
We harness the power of electrical stimulation and Kegel exercises in order to noticeably strengthen a woman’s vaginal muscles and pelvic organs. This allows them to return to their natural, healthy state. I recommend this comprehensive physical therapy technique for all women, even for those who have not experienced prolapse. Firstly, it will help the woman avoid the occurrence of prolapse, and secondly, it will make the woman’s sex life much more interesting and exciting.
Drug treatment is reduced to restore the required level of estrogen through local (ie, intravaginal) administration. After such treatment, the woman will regain her confidence and begin to enjoy sex. Furthermore, if the patient also had symptoms of urinary incontinence, they will likely dissipate as well.
By utilizing our brand new, state-of-the-art laboratory and radiology facility, we can ensure that everything possible will be done to help rid our patients of any problems with prolapse.