Pessary Use After Vaginal Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery
November 12, 2014
A pessary is a vaginal support device that elevates the walls of the vagina. It is sometimes used to treat pelvic organ prolapse in women who do not want surgery or who are not healthy enough to have a surgery. Another use of the pessary is in the post-operative period. After performing vaginal prolapse surgery, we commonly suture a pessary […]
What Stage is my Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
September 27, 2014
When a woman has pelvic organ prolapse, rectocele, and uterine prolapse, the extent of the prolapse is described in the form of a stage. Staging is a process by which we objectively define how large the bulge of a prolapse is by physical examination of the pelvis. There are four stages, 1-4, with Stage 1 being the least amount of […]
Power Morcellation used in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgeries
June 16, 2014
Recent attention has been given to the surgical technique of power morcellation after the FDA released a communication about this technique. This communication from the FDA informed the public about a small risk of spreading undiagnosed uterine cancer throughout the abdomen during power morcellation. Multiple medical organizations have reinforced that the concern of spreading undiagnosed uterine cancer is for power […]
Traditional Anterior and Posterior Vaginal Prolapse Repair
June 9, 2014
The traditional vaginal prolapse repair surgery is the Anterior and Posterior Colporrhaphy. This is done for women with a smaller cystocele or rectocele. The procedure involves a plication (bringing together) of the supportive tissue between the bladder and vagina, and rectum and vagina using sutures. In women with larger defects, a more extensive vaginal prolapse repair or da Vinci sacrocolpexy […]
Nonsurgical Treatment of Prolapse
April 21, 2014
Treatment of prolapse is based on the patient’s symptoms and her desired outcome. Prolapse is not usually considered a medical emergency unless other acute medical conditions occur secondary to the prolapse. Women sometimes live with prolapse for months or years without bothersome symptoms. When there are not coexisting medical conditions or complications, we counsel patients that the sound of surgery […]
What is the Recovery Time for Prolapse Repair?
April 22, 2013
Surgical recovery times vary depending on the procedure performed and can also vary for each individual person. In general, the recovery period and post-operative restrictions are very similar for both vaginal prolapse repairs and for da Vinci Robotic prolapse repairs. Vaginal prolapse repairs typically take about 2.5 hours and patients usually stay in the hospital for one night. Occasionally patients […]
What is Dyspareunia?
March 27, 2013
Dyspareunia is persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs before during or after intercourse. Causes may be physical or psychological in origin. A thorough patient history, pelvic exam and sometimes imaging such as ultrasound or CT may be utilized to determine the cause. Symptoms vary depending on the origin or the pain. Pain may occur upon entry or with shallow […]
Are My Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Prolapse?
March 11, 2013
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, ureters (the tubular connection between the kidneys and the bladder) or kidneys. A UTI occurs when bacteria travels into the urethra and up the urinary tract. UTI symptoms may include urinary urgency, frequency, and painful urination. In cases of more severe […]
Do I Need Prolapse Surgery?
March 4, 2013
Some women live with prolapse without symptoms or adverse effects. They may learn they have a cystocele, rectocele, enterocele or uterine prolapse during a well woman exam and wonder what to do next. Other women may notice a bulge protruding beyond the vaginal opening and become panicked or even present to ER for fear this is a medical emergency. Prolapse […]
What is Prolapse?
December 7, 2012
A prolapse occurs when the pelvic muscles and ligaments that function to support the vaginal uterus weaken and allow the bladder, rectum, uterus, or small intestine to drop into the vagina. A prolapse may be asymptomatic or may cause bothersome symptoms or even inhibit activities of daily living. Some women describe prolapse as the sensation of something dropping in the […]