Very little is talked about uterine prolapse as if it were a taboo subject, so there is not much information about it. It is important that we know what it is and what symptoms it has in order to detect it, and above all to be able to prevent it. It can happen to women of any age so we must know what it is and how to avoid it. Let's see which is uterine prolapse.
Uterine prolapse occurs when the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor stretch and weaken, ceasing to perform its function of holding the uterus. This causes the uterus to slide down into or out of the vagina, putting pressure on it.
Affects as we said before women of any age, but more in women with menopause, due to the reduction of estrogens and aging of the tissues or who have already had one or more vaginal deliveries.
What are usually the causes of uterine prolapse?
The pelvic floor muscles do not stop being that, muscles and they also weaken if they are not exercised. They are also weakened by other causes, such as age, hormonal changes or pregnancy.
During pregnancy, great pressure is exerted on the pelvic floor. In many cases, the damage caused by childbirth to our pelvic floor does not come to light until years later. Other types of pressures that are not pregnancies, also weaken this very important structure, such as the chronic constipation, chronic cough, being overweight, wearing too tight clothing, poor posture, lifting weights, and high-impact exercise.
Symptoms of uterine prolapse
The symptoms of uterine prolapse are worse when you are on your skin for a long time or at the end of the day. Symptoms can be:
- Feeling a lump coming out of or inside the vagina, especially when coughing, straining, or defecating.
- Pressure inside the vagina.
- Discomfort in the lumbar area.
- Dilated vaginal opening.
- Pressure in the abdomen and / or pain.
- Constant urge to urinate.
- Strong urge to urinate with urine leakage.
- Frequent urinary infections may appear.
- Irregular urine stream.
- Problems with having a bowel movement.
- Difficulty controlling gas.
- Discomfort or pain during penetration.
- Low sexual arousal.
How can it be prevented?
If the symptoms are too familiar to you, consult your doctor so that he can evaluate whether or not you actually have a uterine prolapse. Some people may not notice any symptoms if they have a mild phase of prolapse, while others have one or more of these symptoms. In addition, these symptoms can coincide with other problems, so all options must be ruled out.
Uterine prolapse it is a treatable problem but for that you have to know how to detect it in time. There are 4 degrees of prolapse. On first and second degree are easy to solve. They can be improved with specific physiotherapy techniques for this problem, which are very effective and non-invasive. Treatment will focus on repositioning the displaced organs. We can also do exercises to work and strengthen the pelvic floor.
El grade three and four they are already more serious and require surgical intervention in addition to physiotherapy treatment to avoid complications.
It is also recommended to lose weight in the case of obesity or excess weight, re-educate the overall posture of the whole body, perform hypopressive abdominal exercises (avoiding traditional abdominals) and treating cases of chronic cough or constipation.
That is why it is important that we know how to detect it because if we catch it in time it will be an easy and simple solution, while if time goes by the degree of the problem will worsen, the symptoms will be worse and the recovery will also be worse. So if you suspect that may be your case, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
Because remember ... health must not only be missed when it is not there, we also have to take care of it when we have it.