Pelvic Prolapse
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Melvin Ashford, MD
Urogynecologist & Cosmetic Gynecologist located in Maplewood, MN & Burnsville, MN
Nearly half of women over 50 deal with pelvic prolapse — the collapsing of one of the pelvic organs into the wrong position. Melvin Ashford, MD, offers both surgical and non-surgical pelvic prolapse treatment at his office in Maplewood, Minnesota. These treatments help you restore your pelvic organs to their rightful place, relieving your symptoms, and any discomfort. To learn more, call the office or schedule your appointment online today.
Pelvic Prolapse Q & A
What is pelvic prolapse?
Pelvic prolapse occurs when one of your pelvic organs slips into the wrong position. This condition is much more common in women because childbirth and menopause take a toll on the tissue and muscles that support the pelvic organs.
As these tissues and muscles weaken, your organs can shift out of their proper places, dropping down into your pelvic floor. There are a number of different types of pelvic prolapse:
- Cystocele - bladder prolapse
- Enterocele - small bowel prolapse
- Rectocele - rectal prolapse
- Uterine prolapse
- Vaginal vault prolapse
The last occurs when the uppermost portion of your vagina drops down.
What are the symptoms of pelvic prolapse?
If your organ has fallen far into your vagina, you might be able to see or feel it. Pelvic prolapse can also cause discomfort during sex or exercise and urine leakage, or stress urinary incontinence.
If one of your pelvic organs has prolapsed, you might feel the following in your pelvis:
- Pressure
- Aching
- Fullness
- Discomfort
The above symptoms may worsen after standing or coughing.
If you think you might have pelvic prolapse, make an appointment with Dr. Ashford. Through a physical exam, he can determine if one of your organs has prolapsed. If so, he starts working with you to find the right treatment to move it back where it belongs.
How is pelvic prolapse treated?
Once Dr. Ashford diagnoses your pelvic prolapse, he works to find the least invasive way to treat it. That starts with non-surgical treatment options like exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor or fitting you with a pessary.
If surgery is necessary to treat pelvic prolapse, Dr. Ashford is board-certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He has expertise in the surgical repair of prolapsed pelvic organs, moving your organ back to its proper position to relieve your symptoms.
After pelvic prolapse surgery, Dr. Ashford continues to work with you, offering post-operative physical therapy. This helps to strengthen your pelvic muscles, keeping the previously prolapsed organ — along with all of your other organs — in their proper places.
Don’t live with discomfort or pressure in your pelvis. To get started with diagnosis and treatment for pelvic prolapse, call Melvin Ashford, MD, or make your appointment online today.
