Common Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when abnormal descent or herniation of the pelvic organs happens  from their normal attachment sites or their normal position in the pelvis. Prolapse of the bladder (cystocele), rectum (rectocele), bowel (enterocele), or uterus may be asymptomatic and discovered on pelvic exam. Any of these may cause "dropping" sensations, pain or pressure in the vagina and pelvis. The common treatment for POP is transvaginal mesh, among with many other medical devices for which the FDA has proposed unique device identifiers.

Vaginal Mesh Complications

According medical reports, women who have already given birth are more likely to have POP than those who have not. These indicate that vaginal childbirth has been strongly linked to weakened and stretched support structures in the pelvic area. This loss of support is the biggest cause of pelvic organ prolapse. Having a cesarean section, on the other hand, seems to be less strongly linked to pelvic organ prolapse.

Another cause of reduced support in the pelvis is lower levels of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen levels are lower during and after menopause. The lower levels of estrogen in the body mean less collagen, a protein that helps the pelvic connective tissues stretch and return to their normal positions.

Less common causes of POP have been known to include obesity {which can lead to long-term pressure within the abdomen}, smoking and/or lung disorders {which are often causes of chronic coughing} and conditions affecting the spinal cord {such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury that cause paralysis of the muscles of the pelvic floor}.

Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse may include a sensation of vaginal fullness or pressure, sacral back pain with standing, vaginal spotting from ulceration of the protruding cervix or vagina, coital difficulty, lower abdominal discomfort, and voiding and defecatory difficulties.

Doctors will advise that POP is not considered to be a life-threatening illness. However, it may cause discomfort to patients with the illness. The number of women who have contracted this illness had sharply risen over the years and patients need to be informed of their options. If you believe that you are suffering the symptoms of POP consult with a doctor as soon as possible.

References:

emedicine.medscape.com/article/276259-overview#a0102

nhs.uk/Conditions/Prolapse-of-the-uterus/Pages/Causes.aspx