Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs slip down into the vagina after the muscles and tissues that support them become weak or damaged.
There are many types of prolapse depending on what organs are involved. They include:
- Uterine prolapse
- Vaginal prolapse
- Cystocele
- Rectocele
- Enterocele
There are many causes of pelvic organ prolapse. The most common causes include:
- Vaginal childbirth.
- Surgery on your pelvic organs.
- Getting older.
- Extreme physical activity or lifting heavy objects.
- Increased abdominal pressure from straining during bowel movements or a chronic cough.
- Genetics, like being born with weaker pelvic muscles.
There can be many symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse. The most common symptoms include:
- Seeing a bulge or lump coming from the vagina.
- Feeling like there is a ball stuck inside of the vagina.
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis or lower back.
- Leaking urine or problems with bowel movements.
- Issues inserting tampons or pain during intercourse.
Surgeons can perform a sacrocolpopexy to help relieve these symptoms. A sacrocolpopexy can be done in two ways.
One way is with a thin telescope-like tube with a camera called a laparoscope put through incisions as the surgeon performs the surgery.
The other way, a robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy, uses special tools like a surgical robot. This procedure uses similar steps but passes robotic controllers through small incisions as the surgeon guides them.
Robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy has some benefits over other methods as it may lower the risk of complications for some people. Other benefits include:
- A shorter hospital stay.
- A faster recovery time.
Speak to your healthcare provider to learn which robotic surgery is best for you.
For more information about robotic surgery or procedures performed by our surgeons, please get in touch with Flushing Hospital’s Department of Surgery at 718-670-3135.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.