THE ONE WORD EVERY WOMAN MUST KNOW

3. Bladder Prolapse is called Cystocele – it means the bladder creates a bulge in the vagina with the vaginal wall covering the bladder as it bulges. Some women call this a “dropped bladder.”

Will prolapse get worse?

This has to be the scariest question for women with prolapse. The last thing we want to hear is that we have a prolapse, let alone that it’s getting worse. Here are 4 steps you can take to prevent prolapse or stabilize an existing prolapse:

We’ve been let down. Women have not received enough education about pelvic health as we age. For most women, the first time they hear this word is AFTER it happens to them. This must change. The word I am talking about is prolapse.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

It means one (or more) of your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and rectum) have fallen out of place inside your body. When the organ falls out of place, it takes up space inside your vagina. Most women describe it as a “bulge.” Are your eyes bulging right now?

How common is this?

This is a silent epidemic. Prolapse affects 30% of the women between 20-59 years of age and more than half of the women over 50 years of age. Read that again. More than half. Over 50% of us. When something affects more than half of the female population, we deserve to be more educated about what it is, how to treat it and how to prevent it?

How does this happen?

The pelvic organs are supported by a critical “shelf” or “hammock” of muscles called the pelvic floor. If these muscles are not able to do their job efficiently, prolapse can be the result. Prolapse can be mild or severe. When it’s mild (stage 1-2), the bulge is higher up inside the vagina. When it’s severe (stage 3), the bulge can go all the way down to the vagina opening. At stage 4, the bulge is external to our body. I know…. shocking right?

What symptoms would I feel if I have a prolapse?

Most women report a heaviness or pressure inside their pelvis. Usually, after a long day on your feet, that pressure is worse. It can feel like something is going to fall out of you. It can happen gradually, or it can happen out of nowhere, like in the middle of a high-impact workout or while you are doing the dishes. Those are true stories from clients UROSPOT has helped.

There are 3 types of prolapse

1. Uterine Prolapse – The uterus actually descends into the vagina or the cervix ends up sitting lower in the vagina than normal.

2. Rectal Prolapse is called Rectocele – The rectum creates the bulge in the vagina but the vaginal wall still covers the organ.

1. Strengthening your pelvic floor is a must. At UROSPOT (a private urological focused clinic in your neighbourhood), we accomplish this rapidly with the Kegel Throne. While you sit fully clothed, this dignified medical device that looks like a futuristic chair does 11,000 kegels for you in just 28 minutes. We combine this with education and health coaching to empower you to understand your body and prevent/manage prolapse. The best part is that you can use your physio benefits to cover a portion of the cost.

2. Stay regular! Constipation can cause pelvic organ prolapse, and it’s also a symptom that happens because of prolapse. It’s key to avoid straining.

3. Take a load off! Lifting, pulling and straining can make things worse. When you work out, try low-impact versus high-impact exercises.

4. Stop smoking and watch your weight. Smoking makes you cough, which makes prolapse symptoms worse, and it weakens the tissues around your pelvic muscles. Extra weight also puts more pressure on your pelvic floor.

The key is to take action. Women typically put everyone else’s health before our own. You deserve to have a strong pelvic floor so you can maintain your independence and live with freedom and confidence. If you want to rapidly strengthen your pelvic floor while remaining fully clothed, come in for a complimentary consultation at UROSPOT. Our intradisciplinary team of pelvic health experts can’t wait to meet you.

My life changed after my first visit. It was as if I’d just gone back to a time in my life when sneezing, outbursts of laughter, sudden movement was not “a thing to worry about”. Give yourself this gift.